At 3:20 am, Wednesday - November 11, 2020, our mom, Joyce Beatrice Childers McConnell, stepped into heaven; her faith has become sight - well worth every moment prior. What utter love and acceptance she is experiencing!

She has been reunited with the love of her life, her husband Bill.  They were married 53 years before he went ahead of her 14 years ago. He lovingly referred to her as "Old Mean Joyce". Together they are the epitome of what marriage is, of God's truest definition of "two becoming one".  They loved, they laughed, they struggled, but they always pulled together.  Out was not an option.  At the center of any difference was the core respect for the other.  This was clear as we watched our mom love our dad without abandon until his last breath.

From this love came three children and their spouses

• Stephanie "Stevie" McConnell Glor and husband Michael of Huntsville,
• Stephen McConnell and wife, Dori of Wetumpka, Alabama and
• Paul "Chris" McConnell and fiancé, Beth Hays of Huntsville.

She is affectionately known as "MiMi" to her grandchildren

• Kaleb Thurman with Sally Wise - Huntsville, AL
• Courtaney Welch, Birmingham, Alabama
• Ashley Glor Crocker – Richmond, VA
• Beth Horsnby and husband Josh - Auburn, AL
• Grace Glor Rocca and husband Luis – Marshall, VA
• Melissa Glor McMeekin – Leesburg, Virginia
• Nate Leach, US Navy and wife Chelsea – Virginia Beach, VA
• Josh Leach, US Army and wife Cori – Yelm, WA
• Emily Glor McCrillis and husband Jon – Warrenton, VA
• Kristi Romeo and husband John, of Huntsville, AL
• Angela Wyatt and husband, Lee of Yelm, WA
• Amiyah Laughlin and Ryan Woosley of Huntsville, AL
• Elias Hays – Memphis, TN

and great grandchildren

• Samantha, Kie and Evan Thurman
• Talles, Nevaeh and Conley Leach
• Finn Leach
• Malachi, Levi and Corrine McMeekin
• Elisha, Micah and Madeline Rocca
• Hannie and Char Counts, Evelyn McCrillis
• Sully, Levi and Stella Hornsby
• Tre' Welch
• Gavin Romeo
• Landon and Reece Wyatt

She is also survived by her brother and sisters Phil and Jane Childers of Huntsville, and Pam Wallace of Birmingham. There are many other cousins, too many to be listed here – but they each know how precious they were to her.  A lifelong gatherer of friends, she has outlived most, but her and dad's longtime friend, Gene Smith – has remained a faithful companion to the very end.

Of her hairdresser, Jody Weinstein, who mom has known some 30 something years – mom said in the last weeks "she is like a second daughter". Mom would want you to know that.

Mostly – her family never quit growing.  She welcomed and loved on each one she met. If you met Joyce McConnell – you left feeling loved. Her smile warmed hearts and sealed itself in memories of folks around the world. Regardless the circumstance – she never un-loved anyone.

She was described as so beautiful, always smiling. Like she knows a secret none of the rest of us know. I guess it's Because.

She was born at home January 3, 1936 in Jasper, Alabama to Felix and Bea Childers. When she was 17 she married the slight and handsome Bill McConnell.  They would live in Arizona, Puerto Rico, Arkansas, Montgomery and make their golden year home in Huntsville.

She once said the most memorable gift she ever received was the white picket fence her daddy always wanted and finally built and painted at their house in Jasper. A good family life is often described as one with a mom, a dad, 2 and ¾ children and a white picket fence.  Maybe that's what she passed on to each of us somehow.  That fence was not important for social reasons, it was important to keep in all that is precious and priceless and keep out anything that would harm the family or the relationships inside.  Perhaps Mom has always had a white picket fence around our home.

How does one encapsulate in this brief space the lifetime achievements of our mom?  She was the proud military wife, able to keep the home fires burning when Dad was gone.  She and Dad could entertain like no one else.  She gave the most beautiful gifts – starting at how they were wrapped. Every occasion was an event and celebration! She loved loving on people.

In her last days she questioned the purpose of her life, that she really had done little and was doing nothing now.  This was the response to her, "you didn't have a degree or fancy smancey career – but you gave each person you met value and love.  You molded lives in a way the smartest, richest person could never do.  None of us will ever be the same because we have been loved by you.  And we will pass it on to our children and our children's children, and to those we meet for a moment and for a lifetime."

Mom, Joyce, Mimi …. She changed this world, Because.

The Viewing and Graveside Service Honoring Joyce McConnell or "Old Mean Joyce" as Dad called her, will be at 10 o'clock the morning of Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Maple Hill Cemetery.

During this COVID season thank you for refraining from hugs unless invited and for respecting social distancing.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS the family offers two suggestions in honor of Mom:

Purchase flowers or a plant for your home or for someone who might unexpectedly enjoy them! This would truly tickle Mom to know others are enjoying flowers for days to come!!!

or

Donations may be made to Warrior Health Foundation

https://www.warriorhealthfoundation.org