Charles Henry McConnell, Jr

Pastor Charles Henry McConnell, Jr., 60, of Adairsville, Georgia passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 1:00PM at Adairsville Church of God, 297 Old Dixie Hwy, Adairsville, GA 30103. The body will lie in state in the church from 12:00PM (Noon) until the hour of service. Interment will follow in Poplar Springs Cemetery, Poplar Springs Road, Adairsville, GA 30103.

Due to COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, physical distancing practices will be in place, and MASK ARE REQUIRED for those that will be attending the service. The family is the main concern during this time of bereavement and space will be limited. We have to ensure the family is able to attend the service, so there is a possibility of some friends not being admitted However, the service will be LIVE-STREAMED.

Pastor Charles Henry McConnell, Jr., affectionately known as “Lil Charles” to his family and friends, was born on June 10, 1961 in Gordon County to Minnie Nell Owens McConnell and the late Charles Henry McConnell, Sr. He was the fourth child out of five children born to this union.

Charles was educated in the Bartow County School System and graduated from Adairsville High School in 1980. He was a great basketball player and was named team captain. He played center/forward and won many awards. He was voted #3 in the Calhoun times in 1978-1979 top ten players and during his senior year, he was voted #2 in the top ten. He was very well respected in the sport of basketball and played on many summer leagues. Lil’ Charles was also a track star at Adairsville High where he ran the 440, 220, relay and mile relay and he was selected most valuable player for his efforts. He also broke a 14-year-old meet record, set an Adairsville High School record and finished first in the 220.

At the early age of 15, Charles began working as a janitor at Adairsville High School in the after-school program. After graduating. He worked for Apache Mills, Gardner and Dalton Wholesale in Adairsville. Charles held various jobs for over thirty-eight years.  He was employed with Lowes Distribution Center. His last place of employment was Dalton Wholesale as a part time truck driver.

Pastor Charles began his journey with God at an early age where his parents introduced him to God’s house at Gray’s Chapel A.M.E in the 1970’s. Around the age of eleven, his parents were led by God to move from Gray’s Chapel to Omega Church of God in Christ      under the teaching and ministry of the late Daisy M. Gordon (Battle). In the early ‘90’s, God led him to the Adairsville Body of Christ under the leadership of Pastor Jeanette Harris, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, superintendent, minister and musician.

In 2006, he was led by God to Bethlehem-Judah House of God to help and serve under the leadership of the late Pastor John S. Beasley, Jr. After Pastor Beasley’s homegoing, he remained a faithful servant and became pastor. While serving under Pastor Beasley, he served as an associate pastor, Sunday School teacher, minister of music and musician leader, where he played the bass guitar and has been a blessing to many churches, playing under God’s anointing. He was a man that loves, seeks, studies, fear and hear from God, but most importantly, obeyed god’s word and lived what he taught.

Pastor Charles married his high school sweet heart Sharyon on July 29, 2011. They were so in love and as Sharyon said, “she was blessed with the best ten years of my life”. They had nicknames for each other “sweet thang” and “sweetie”. He enjoyed spending time with his family; the girls were known as “Charles Angels”. There was nothing he would not do for his family!

Pastor Charles was a loving and devoted husband and leaves to mourn his wife, Sharyon E. McConnell, better known as “sweet thang;” daughters, Amber           Williams-Brewer (Mychale) of Fairburn, GA, Shunta McConnell and Leah MCconnell of Calhoun, GA; a bonus son, Sheldon Lavette of Adairsville, GA; grandchildren, Marlin Stephens (MJ), Maliah McConnell, Makael McConnell and Malaysia Branch. His mother,    Minnie Nell McConnell, special mother, Julia Mae Evans; brother, Steve Ownes (Elaine) of Rome, GA; sisters, Cecilia Byrd of Calhoun, GA, Pamela J. McConnell and Stehpanie Beasley of Adairsville, GA.; aunts, Nannie Ruth Mulkey, Jacqueline Sellers and Jeanette Harris of Adairsville, GA; Geneva Chattam (Bobby) of Calhoun, GA, Frances Hill of Rome, GA, Willie (Dorothy) Young and Agnes Wise of Kingston, GA; sister in laws/brother in laws, Margaret (David) Applin and Sara Harris of Kingston, GA, Janie Mae Harris of Rome, GA; Gwen (Apostle Norman) Armstrong of Monck Corner, SC; Valencia (Rob) Monford of Euharlee, GA; Roslind (Jamie) Jones of Cassville, GA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. 

Special friends, Todd Stehpens, Minister Reginald Riley, Dr. Michael Webber, Apostle Leonardo Yarbrough, and Prophetess Lille Davis

Condolences may be expressed at: www.mackeppingerfuneralhome.com

Mack Eppinger and Sons Funeral Service, Inc. are in charge of the arrangements.

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