Doris Jean McConnell, age 94, passed away January 3, 2025, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, AR. She was born October 30, 1930 in Fayetteville, AR, to Howard and Merle Qualls Hooker. As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she led a life well lived.

She served as the church secretary/administrative assistant at Wiggins Memorial United Methodist Church (currently Genesis Church) for almost 40 years. Plus, she had many interests and loved keeping herself busy by staying active in the church, singing in the church choir, doing numerous crafts, baking Christmas goodies, collecting Christmas Village houses and decorations, working crossword puzzles, and playing board games.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Neill (Pee Wee) McConnell, whom she married on July 3, 1952; her parents, Howard and Merle Hooker; one brother, James Hooker; one sister, Helen Hooker Hutchens and her husband, Veryl Hutchens; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Reba Dale McConnell.

She is survived by one son, Marc McConnell (Shirlene) of Springdale, AR; one daughter, Lisa Rodman (Joey) of Fayetteville, AR; five grandchildren, Britney Rodman of Springdale, AR, Melissa Whitehead (Zach) of Wildwood, MO, Jorden Rodman of Fayetteville, AR, Brett McConnell of Springdale, AR, and Kyle McConnell of Joplin, MO; and three great-grandchildren, Olivia Rodman of Rogers, AR, Brynlee Whitehead of Wildwood, MO, and Asher Whitehead of Wildwood, MO. She is also survived by a host of family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Genesis Church on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM with Pastor Jody Farrell and Reverend David Fleming presiding. A private burial will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Funeral Chapel following the service.

There is no scheduled visitation.

Doris lived a life of faith, love, and service, leaving a legacy of cherished memories and a family deeply grateful to have had her in their lives. She will be dearly missed. The family wants to extend their thanks to the Willard Walker Hospice Home for the exceptional care and dignity they showed to Doris during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Genesis Church, 205 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fayetteville, AR 72701, the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E Longview St, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or The Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.