Dorothy Connelly, age 89

Dorothy Connelly, 89 of Jacksonville, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on January 17, 2020. She was the fourth child born to Barnie B and Azel Sullivan Lewis on May 26, 1930 on the family farm in Moffett, Oklahoma. Dorothy started school in Roland, later transferring to Moffett. The family moved to Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1943 after losing their home in a flash flood. She entered Ft. Smith Jr. High now Darby and graduated from Ft. Smith high School now Northside in 1947. After working a year as a receptionist for Lynch Real Estate, Dorothy entered Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock, graduating as an RN on May 25, 1951. She continued working at Baptist Hospital in the premature nursery and then later as the Hospital night Supervisor until February of 1953 when she left to marry the love of her life, EW Connelly, a career serviceman. Dorothy often stated that she married him to see the world but she and the children only saw Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, while EW filed many TD4’s. The family was transferred to LRAF base June 30, 1964. Dorothy had been a stay at home mother for seven years when they moved to Arkansas. At the time there was a great nurse shortage in the state and Dr. Wortham, whom she had known since the 50’s convinced her to return to nursing. Things had changed so much it took two refresher courses before she gained enough confidence to return. Dorothy began work at Rebsman Memorial Hospital May 25, 1968 and retired as Director of the OR in December of 1993.

Over the years she lost many family members; grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and her beloved husband of 64 years EW Connelly; their daughter Debbie Coleman; three brothers JW Lewis, Barnie Lewis Jr, James Lewis; three sisters Lula Bea Zemansky, Daisy L Hutto and Thelma E Connelly. Dorothy leaves behind her son, Mark Connelly (Bonnie), son-in-law, Wayne Coleman; grandchildren, Christopher Coleman (Amy), Melanie Goodson (Steve), Tish Stewart (Tracy), Amber Murphy (Matthew); great-grandchildren, Hunter Coleman, Kaitlynn and CJ Coleman, Spencer Stewart and Jordyn Snyder (Timmy), Tripp and Caroline Murphy and two great-great-grandchildren, Aubree Snyder and Liam Snyder; a special niece Dixie Turner and a host of other nieces, nephews and friends.

EW and Dorothy joined Jacksonville First United Methodist Church in October 1964. She remained an active member of Pairs, Spares Sunday School Class; Mary Martha Circle; Prayer and Praise team; she was a member of the first Stevens Ministry Class; she, Dottie Hackenbach and Mary Lou Gall were instrumental in starting the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

In lieu of flowers her family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with a time for visitation from10:-11:00am. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas.