Mother Gertie Mae Connell entered this world gracefully to the late Mr. and Mrs. Birdie and Ella Jane Strickland in Estill, South Carolina. She was called from earthly labor on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in Manning, South Carolina.
“Gertie” attended and graduated from Estill Training School, Estill, South Carolina. At an early age she attended Rock of Ages Holiness Church. Later her zeal and search for independence led her to Newark, New Jersey where she became a member of Zion Holy Church. She served actively on the church’s Young Adult Choir (singing her favorite song, “He abides”), and traveling as far north as Boston, Massachusetts and as far south as Richmond, Virginia. She was also active in Zion’s Young People Holiness Association Bible Study Group.
On July 11, 1973 she was joined in Holy matrimony to Carson Evans Connell; and to this union three children were born: Christopher, Candace, and Angel.
Gertie’s zest for life and willingness to conquer led her to becoming a “Jack of all trades”. She could change a car’s filter and oil, while cooking a 3-course meal, and pressing and washing a few loads of laundry!
She later found her passion and became a chemist, working for Boyle Midway, maker of household cleaning products such as Woolite, Tide, Old English Furniture Polish, Ivory soap, and other products. The merger of Boyle Midway with another company led Gertie back to South Carolina. It was during this period that she learned of her passion for service, leading her to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She worked at Harper’s Nursing Facility, Fairfax, South Carolina and later retired from Ridgeland Nursing Home after 20 years of service.
Upon return to South Carolina, Gertie Connell joined Rock of Ages Holiness Church, Cummings, South Carolina which later became Greater Rock of Ages Holiness Church, Brunson, South Carolina. She served as the Mother of the Church. Relocating to Manning, South Carolina, she attended Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Paxville.
She was preceded in death by her two siblings: Deacon Walter Ruth Sr. and Betty Jane Busby.
To celebrate her life, she leaves her husband, Carson Connell, Estill, South Carolina; One son, Christopher Connell of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Two daughters: Candace (Anthony) Frierson of Manning, South Carolina and Angel Connell of Estill, South Carolina; Sisters-in-law: Pastor Sheila Ruth and Lillian Busby, both of Estill, South Carolina, Jennifer (Luellen) Roy of London, England, Charyll (Nicholas) Caruth of Brooklyn, New York, Marcia Goodridge of Barbados, West Indies, Wendy and Hyacent Phillips, Barbodos, West Indies; Brothers-in-law: Ricky Connell and Mervin Headley, both of London, England, Dawaar (Sonia) Connell, Adrian Connell, and Peterson Phillip, all of Barbados, West Indies; Special cousins: Geneva (Carlton) Licorish, Malden, Massachusetts, and Albertha Ruth of Boston, Massachusetts; Sallie Mae Walls of Conway, South Carolina, Jeanette (Robert) Steverson, and Martha Tillman, all of Savannah, Georgia. Thirteen grandchildren; Five great grandchildren; Brothers and sisters by another mother: Johnny, Willie Jr., Ernest, Donald of Geneva, Gloria, Elsie, and Belinda Green; Special friend, Janie Lewis; Loving caregiver, Sharon Green of RBS Transportation and Paul Huggins; A host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
