Lou Ellen Conner

Lou Ellen Conner, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, September 25, 2023. She was born in Chattahoochee, Florida on December 2, 1930, to Pearly Malone and Mae Lou Bridges.  Growing up during the Great Depression taught her much about hard times and how to survive; she lived a lifetime of growing and canning vegetables which she freely gave away to anyone who stopped by to see her. A person never left her house empty handed.  Her love of gardening was second only to the love she held for her family.  Everyone in the community knew her as the “lady on Wolfe Road with the beautiful garden.” She loved spending time with her family and always looked forward to her family reunion week at Lake Tiak O’Khata each summer.

While Mrs. Lou was very young, her father passed away. Her mother then moved the family to Columbus, Mississippi.  When she was in the 8th grade, she had to quit school to help care for her family.  She got her first job working at Hardin’s Bakery as a “soda jerk”.  She would tell everyone she “only had an 8th grade education,” but her family will quickly tell you that she was one of the smartest people they ever knew.  In 1961, she went to work at American Bosch, later called United Technologies, where she worked until she retired in 1992.  Most knew her there as Mrs. Lou, Supervisor of Department 12.  She considered her workers her family, and she loved them as if they were.  Mrs. Lou spent her life here on Earth caring for others, loving people like Jesus does, and being a wonderful example of a Godly woman.

She is preceded in death by two husbands: Homer Junior Strickland and Clarence Thurmond Conner; her sister, Bonnie Hill; as well as a son, Donald Wayne Strickland, Sr.; and a daughter, Marlene Young.

She is survived by her brother, Charles Marshall Bridges; two daughters, Wanda Shelton (Larry) and Sharron Beasley (John) of Columbus, Mississippi;  sons, Denny Lee Strickland, Sr. (Julia) of Lakeland, Florida; Warren Conner (Tammy) of Caledonia, Mississippi; Ray Conner (Mary Jane) of Sciplesmill, Mississippi; Irvin Conner (Brenda) of Union, Mississippi;  and Mark Conner of Bartahatchie, Mississippi; daughter-in-law, Regina Strickland of Columbus, Mississippi; nieces and nephews; nineteen grandchildren; a whole host of great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson, Mason Wyatt Perrigin, who made her eyes light up when she saw him!

The family would like to thank Tabitha (Tab) Miller, who Mrs. Lou lovingly called “Addie”, for taking such wonderful care of her during the past few years.  Also, the family extends a special thank you to the following Hospice nurses and staff for ministering to Mrs. Lou and checking on her weekly: Andrea Williford, Amy Richardson, Shannon Hatton, Brother Melvin Mordecai and Norma Springfield.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Mrs. Lou’s home church, Steens First Baptist Church, at 40 Odom Road, Steens, Mississippi.  Public visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The funeral will be at 12:00 pm with graveside service to follow at Egger’s Cemetery in Caledonia, Mississippi.  Pallbearers will her grandsons.

Memorials in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or The Shriners’ Club.