Betty C. Mcconnell

Betty C. McConnell, 86, of Bessemer City, passed away on November 17, 2016, at the Robin Johnson Hospice House, Dallas.

She was born July 10, 1930, in Laurens County, SC, daughter of the late Thomas Crawford and Florence Davenport Crawford.

Betty Jo was a woman of many interests, sewing, cooking, volunteering with the local fire department and singing. She loved gospel music and in her younger years, along with her beloved husband, Rooster, added her sweet soprano voice to a gospel quartet. Ultimately everything in her life centered around her family and it was family that was the single most important thing in her life.

That family was very large, diverse and inclusive. It didn't matter whether you were a "blood relative" or not, when you sat at her table you were her family.

We her children and grandchildren remember holiday meals that were large buffets that included everyone's favorites. Green bean casserole for this one, pie for that one and so on until everyone was sure "She made that especially for me".

She as a woman of great faith, a believer in the Golden Rule and she opened her heart and home to many throughout the years.

She valued peace and harmony among her family members and wished for those values to extend to the entire world.

Her kindness was most evident in her final days. Despite her weakness and illness, she communicated her well-wishes to everyone that came to her bedside. She was in death, the way she lived her life, loving, generous, focused on the good in people and wishing for everyone to treat one another as family. Family was indeed her greatest achievement and she gave it her all.

A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Greene Funeral Service, West Chapel, 216 Archie Whitesides Rd. Gastonia, officiated by Pastor Ken Wilson.

The family will receive friends 6 -8 pm Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the funeral home.

Entombment will be at Westview Gardens Mausoleum, Bessemer City.

Mrs. McConnell is survived by sons, Harris (Buddy)O. McConnell Jr. and wife, Eunice, Frank (Joe)  A. McConnell and wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Constance (Cem) E. McConnell and spouse, Marianne Soufas; grandchildren, Harris (Mack) O. McConnell III, Katie Spearman and husband, Alan, Vanessa Jenkins and husband, Heath, Brandon Williams and wife, Amanda, Kelly Howsare and husband Tristan , Christian McConnell, Brooke Patterson, Ker Medero; great – grandchildren, Kirsten McConnell, Maddox, Sawyer and Carter Spearman, Hayley and Jayden Jenkins, Taegan and Kayleigh Howsare.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Harris O. (Rooster) McConnell Sr.; brothers, Norman, Adger and Hoyt Crawford; sisters, Sue Woods, Anzo Boggs, Dorcas and Elizabeth Crawford.

Memorials may be sent to the Robin Johnson Hospice House c/o Gaston Hospice P.O. Box 3984 Gastonia, NC 28054

Arrangements are with the West Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia.