Barbara Ann Conner of Columbus, Mississippi

November 25, 1946 - August 24, 2024

Barbara McKay Conner, age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 24th, at her residence, surrounded by her family and close friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 AM, officiated by Bro. Ty Danielson. Interment will be at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, with Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Columbus, MS, directing.

Mrs. Conner was born on November 25, 1946, in Wren, Mississippi, to the late R.W. and Frances Gray McKay. She graduated from New Hope High School, East Mississippi Community College, and MSCW, now the Mississippi University for Women. While at EMCC, she met the love of her life, Bill Conner, and they married on December 30, 1966.

Barbara cherished her 34 years of teaching elementary school at New Hope Elementary School and Heritage Academy, where she was known for her engaging lessons and genuine care for her students. An active member of Kappa Kappa Iota, Barbara shared a lasting bond with her fellow educators.

She also enjoyed serving as a member of the Belle Fleur Garden Club, where she held the position of Treasurer. Barbara thoroughly cherished her neighbors and dear friends in The Plantation Pointe Estates residential community, where she served as President of the Homeowners Association.

A lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Barbara attended the Juanice Hayes Sunday School Class.

Mrs. Conner is preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years - Bill Conner; parents - Robert Wilson McKay, Sr. and Frances Gray McKay; brother - Robert McKay, Jr., mother-in-law-Primrose Fox Conner, and brothers-in-law- Ed Teague and Frank Conner.

She is survived by her daughters, Kameron Conner Ball and her husband, Bill, of Brandon, and Courtney Conner Hutchins of West Point; her adoring grandchildren, Conner Beth Ball Fudge and her husband, Conner, Wiggy Ball, Carter and Ann Lynleigh Hutchins; her sister, Elaine Teague Wick and her husband, John, of Keystone Heights, Florida; her sister-in-law, Elaine McKay of Montgomery, Alabama; her brother-in-law, Kyle Conner and his wife, Elaine, of Columbus, Mississippi; and numerous nieces and nephews who meant so much to her.

Pallbearers will be Wiggy Ball, Carter Hutchins IV, Conner Fudge, Rob McKay, Matt Teague, and Terry Fitch. Honorary pallbearers will be W.A. Caldwell, Richard Cole, Aubrey Collums, David Dortch, Mickey Guyton, Fred Hayslett, Dr. Billy McKay, Henry McQueen, Doug Murrah, Dr. William Rosenblatt, Jesse Sims, Tommy Yates and members of the Juanice Hayes Sunday School Class.