Obituary for Leila Ruth McConnell at Peeples Funeral Home and Crematory (2024)

Mrs. Leila Ruth McConnell, age 102, of Young Harris, GA, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 24, 2024, at her residence.

Ruth was born on February 5, 1922, in Hampton, GA, to the late Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Morris. Ruth married the first love of her life, Marvin Miller, and they had two children: daughter, Brenda Miller Wilson, and son, David Miller. Ruth and Marvin enjoyed sixty-six years of happy marriage before his passing. Ruth was in the real estate business for twenty-eight years. She worked in Southwest Atlanta, East Point, and College Park. After her husband, Marvin, passed away, she married the second love of her life, Leonard McConnell. She moved from Chatsworth, GA, to Hiawassee, GA, where they lived happily for three years and four months before his passing. Ruth continued to live alone for two years until she started living with her stepson and his wife, Jim and Janie McConnell of Young Harris. She lived with them from July 24, 2013, until her passing on May 24, 2024.

Everyone who knew Ruth, loved Ruth. She was beautiful both inside and out. She brought smiles to everyone and was always willing to help anyone in need. Ruth loved her church, McConnell Baptist Church, and was the oldest member there. She belonged to the Esther Sunday School Class.

Ruth was always at the Towns County Lions Club on meeting nights. She became a full-time member at the age of 100 and was the oldest member in Georgia. Needless to say, everyone loved her. She never met a stranger and had loads of friends because of her infectious smile.

On June 8, 2008, Leonard McConnell and Ruth Morris Miller were united in marriage making Ruth an official member of the McConnell Family. From this marriage, a bond of love that would never be broken was created between Ruth, Jim, and Janie. After Leonard’s passing, they checked on Ruth daily by phone calls or visits. When Ruth broke her collarbone, Jim and Janie left their home to stay with Ruth in her home while she recovered. After 15 months of staying with Ruth, the time came when they felt the need to move back to their home. As they were preparing for the move back home, they invited Ruth to live with them and she accepted their invitation. Ruth moved to Jim and Janie’s home on July 24, 2013. Ruth was easy to take care of because she was so easy to please and she was so appreciative of everything they did for her. In the healthier days, Janie and Ruth enjoyed frequent shopping trips to the mall (especially Belk), going out to eat together, and of course, the standing appointments to the hair and nail salons. In recent years, those trips became more challenging, but Jim and Jaine made sure Ruth didn’t miss the beauty appointments that were so important to her. They typically ended with a trip to the drive through at DQ or McDonalds for an ice cream treat. During the past months, it became obvious that Ruth’s health was declining. In the past few weeks, it was more obvious that Ruth’s life on this earth was coming to an end, and she would soon meet Jesus face to face. The last week of her life was extremely difficult and yet there were some very sweet and precious moments. When she could barely speak because she was so weak, she still showed such love and concern for the people who were taking care of her. She didn’t want to be a burden and often apologized for getting sick. During the last days, Janie would kiss her on the forehead and Ruth would whisper softly, “I love you.” or “Thank you for taking care of me.” For more than 11 years, Jim and Janie have cared for Ruth, always making her their top priority. Because of the strong bond of love between them, they have no regrets. Jim and Janie are to be commended for the years of faithful, selfless love and care of Ruth Morris Miller McConnell.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Marvin Miller; two children, Brenda Wilson and David Miller; granddaughter, Erin Davis; and second husband, Leonard McConnell.

Surviving are two grandchildren, Brian Miller (Jessica) and Ellse Miller; seven great-grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Leila Ruth McConnell will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 2:00pm at McConnell Baptist Church in Hiawassee with Rev. Steven Taylor and Rev. Danny Byers officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Chatsworth.

The family will receive friends at McConnell Baptist Church on Tuesday from 1:00pm until the service hour.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Leila Ruth McConnell.