Joseph "Joe" Timothy McConnell Sr.

Joseph “Joe” Timothy McConnell, Sr., 73, of Gardendale, AL went home to be with Jesus on January 19, 2022 at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL. While visiting family in Lillian, AL, he succumbed to complications of his multiple medical conditions, secondary to his diabetes.

He is survived by his daughter, “Daddy’s Girl,” Virginia “Ginger” Lee McConnell of Gardendale, AL and his son, Joseph “Joe” Timothy McConnell, Jr., “definitely a Jr.,” of Fultondale, AL, and the mother of his children, Elizabeth Seale McConnell of Fultondale, AL. He is also survived by his sisters, Reba McConnell White of Mt. Olive, AL and Dianne McConnell Moon Nichols (Doug) of Lillian, AL, his brother, John McConnell of Fultondale, AL, his Aunt Louise Bush Hall of Sumiton, AL, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He had a love for animals and is also survived by his precious dog, Bootsie and his precious granddogs, Cinnamon and Sugar.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma McConnell, his parents, Felton Hutto McConnell and Nicie Anne Bush McConnell, his siblings, Howard McConnell, Dean McConnell, Lynn McConnell, Teresa McConnell and Carolyn McConnell Webb, and his nephews, Jarrod McConnell and Seth Webb.

He was born on April 1, 1948, and he lived up to his “April Fool’s Day” reputation 100%, as he was a practical jokester from the word go. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1966. He was drafted into the Army in 1969, and served during the Vietnam Era. When he returned from his military service, he attended Jefferson State Community College and UAB. He had a lifelong career in Millworks where his roles in the industry ranged from Salesman to Vice President of Operations to Branch Manager and leading into retirement as an owner-operator. He was a longtime member of Morgan United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for many years. He was also a Lay Speaker through the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church. He was Worshipful Master of Birmingham Fraternal Masonic Lodge #384 in 1980 and was most recently a member of Hoover Lodge #644. He was also a Shriner at Zamora Temple with Arab Patrol. He had a love for sports and coached little league baseball in Fultondale during his son’s youth. He was also an avid Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.

The family will host a celebration of Joe’s life on Saturday, February 5, 2022. The visitation will be from 2:00-3:00p.m. with 3:00p.m. service at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Hwy Gardendale, AL 35071. The service will be officiated by his nephew, Michael McConnell, and pastors, Bro. Mike Glasgow and Bro. Matthew Kilpatrick. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Moncrief Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a memorial donation be made to the American Diabetes Association.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Doug Alford, his primary care doctor and longtime family friend, for all of his long term care, love and support. The family would also like to thank Jolee Morehead, Nurse Practitioner with Nephrology, at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL, as she was a godsend to Joe and his family during his end of life care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the MCCONNELL family.