Obituary for Annie Esther McConnell
Annie Esther Whitley McConnell, 82, went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 24, 2019. She was born locally to the late Jesse Lee and Mary M. Nuckols Whitley Sr. and was also predeceased by her husband of 23 years James Harold McConnell; sister, Emily Elizabeth Stoneman; and brother, Jesse Lee Whitley Jr. She was a devoted member of her church Chesapeake Baptist Tabernacle and loved shopping at garage sales.
Esther graduated with honors in the inaugural class of Oscar Smith High School in 1955. She was an accomplished saxophone player in the marching band and member of the Beta Club. Following her marriage to her beloved husband and the birth of her sons, the family relocated to Baton Rouge, LA where they owned and operated a full-service filling station for a number of years. Health issues with James necessitated the family’s return to the South Norfolk area where she lived out her life after his untimely passing. She served her church in many capacities including treasurer and secretarial duties. Through her church, her employment and community involvement she made many friends and was a valued member of the Portlock community.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jesse James McConnell, William Matthew McConnell and his wife Rebecca; grandchildren, Christopher J. McConnell and his wife Sandra, Maria McConnell, Jessica Tate and her husband James, Michael Conley and his wife Heather; 8 great-grandchildren; cousin, Harry Edmonds; nieces and nephews, Christine Burris, Tara Cook, and Dean Stoneman.
The family will receive friends Wednesday March 27, 2019 from 6-7:30pm at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd. Chesapeake. A funeral service will be held Thursday March 28, 2019 at 11am at the funeral home with burial to follow in Riverside Memorial Park, Norfolk. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service and offer a note of condolence to the family.
Esther graduated with honors in the inaugural class of Oscar Smith High School in 1955. She was an accomplished saxophone player in the marching band and member of the Beta Club. Following her marriage to her beloved husband and the birth of her sons, the family relocated to Baton Rouge, LA where they owned and operated a full-service filling station for a number of years. Health issues with James necessitated the family’s return to the South Norfolk area where she lived out her life after his untimely passing. She served her church in many capacities including treasurer and secretarial duties. Through her church, her employment and community involvement she made many friends and was a valued member of the Portlock community.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jesse James McConnell, William Matthew McConnell and his wife Rebecca; grandchildren, Christopher J. McConnell and his wife Sandra, Maria McConnell, Jessica Tate and her husband James, Michael Conley and his wife Heather; 8 great-grandchildren; cousin, Harry Edmonds; nieces and nephews, Christine Burris, Tara Cook, and Dean Stoneman.
The family will receive friends Wednesday March 27, 2019 from 6-7:30pm at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd. Chesapeake. A funeral service will be held Thursday March 28, 2019 at 11am at the funeral home with burial to follow in Riverside Memorial Park, Norfolk. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service and offer a note of condolence to the family.