Marianne McCord Conner, age 95, of Columbus, MS, passed away November 1, 2014, at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. A graveside service will be Monday, November 10, 2014, at 10:00 AM at Memorial Gardens of Columbus with Dr. Shawn Parker officiating. Gunter & Peel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Conner was born December 18, 1918, in Calhoun County, MS, to Joseph Roscoe and Lillian Stevenson McCord. She was a graduate of Blue Mountain College. Following graduation, Mrs. Conner served as one of America's first train hostesses working aboard the "Rebel", an exclusive passenger train for the GM&O Railroad. During World War II, she was executive secretary for the Calhoun County War and Price Rationing Board. Mrs. Conner ultimately taught English for 33 years retiring in 1982 after serving 27 years in the Columbus public school system. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, ceramics and gardening. She was well known for sharing her beautiful rose arrangements with friends, social clubs and nursing home patients. Later when she could no longer perform these activities, Mrs. Conner became an avid reader. She was a loyal member of the First Baptist Church, the Eloise Crossley Sunday School Class, Shuk-ho-ta-Tom-a-ha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Flora Plena Garden Club, and for many years the Columbus Music Club. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Conner was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Alma Dowdle Conner, and her husband of 57 years, Eli Powell Conner. Survivors include her grandsons, Corey Conner of Columbus, MS, and John Powell Conner of New Orleans, LA, and great grandchildren, Stark Williams Conner and Eli McCord Conner of New Orleans, LA
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