Cynthia Pauline (Polly) Connerat, nee Eden, January 16, 2019. Born on Nov. 11, 1935, in Knoxville, TN, she was the daughter of Ralph M., and Anita T. Eden. Polly attended school in Baton Rouge, LA, graduating from University High School there. Following the family’s move to Atlanta, she attended Emory University, where she was active in sorority and Canterbury Club. While a student at Emory, she excelled enough in her archery class that she was invited to teach the sport.
Polly was a life-long Episcopalian, and was active in her church, Emmanuel Episcopal, in Athens, where she was a Eucharistic minister and a Stephens Ministry leader and Altar Guild member. Additionally, at other churches she attended, she was a choir leader and Sunday school teacher. Over the years Polly had worked with intellectually disabled children and adults, was a pre-school teacher and teacher’s aid, and assisted with special education. In 1995, she married William Henry Connerat, III, and together they shared a wonderful and fulfilling life until his passing in 2014. She enjoyed traveling after retirement and found the greatest joy in spending time with her grandchildren. Her love was felt by everyone she encountered. She was the loving and devoted mother of Samuel Mitchell Burns, III, (1957-1965), James Karl Burns, and Cynthia Anne Sullivan. Additional survivors include grandchildren, Mikah Anne Alge, Houston, TX; Kaitlin Marie Skipper, Anderson, SC; Gerald Robert Sullivan and Katherine Amelia Sullivan, Bishop, GA; great-grandchildren, Eleanor Lynn Alge, Lydia Eden Alge, James Lewis Alge, all of Houston, TX; brother, Ralph M. Eden, Jr., La Habra, CA; sister, Carol Lynn Eden, Chattahoochee Hills, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Polly will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following charities in Polly’s name: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 498 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601.
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