James B. McConnell, 87, of Franklin, passed away Friday, October 26, 2007.

Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Loren McConnell and Bessie Ledford McConnell. He was preceded in death by a sister, Eloise Land; a brother, R.L. McConnell and a great grandson, Payton Isaac Wade. Jay was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from the N.C. State Department of Transportation. He was a member of Prentiss Baptist Church serving as former deacon, Sunday School Teacher and choir director.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edith Griggs McConnell; five children, Chester Doyle McConnell of Greenville, SC, Lloyd Bruce McConnell of Sanford, NC, Rita Sue McConnell of Clemson, SC, Brenda Garrett of Atlanta, GA and Doris McConnell of Franklin; two sisters, Charlotte Elizabeth Everrett of Cornelia, GA and Bonnie Callahan of Charlotte, NC; five grandchildren, Timothy James Chastain, Christopher Shaun Chastain, Krystal Brooke Wade, Daniel Adam Wade and Jeremy Evan Wade; one great grandson, Finnegan James Chastain and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 30th, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Randy Drinnon and Rev. Steve Reeves will officiate. Burial will be in the Prentiss Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, October 29, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Chastain, Shaun Chastain, Daniel Wade, Jeremy Wade, Timothy Blakely and Robert Simmons.

Memorial donations may be made Prentiss Baptist Church, C/O Faye Wilson, 605 Middle Skeenah Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences @www.maconfuneralhome.com

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