Richard O'Neal McConnell

Richard O'Neal McConnell, age 86, a resident of Ethridge, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at NHC Scott.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Giles County with Pastor Roger Creasy officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on June 1, 1939, in Giles County, Tennessee, Richard was the son of the late J.B. McConnell and the late Ina Elizabeth Taylor McConnell. He worked for thirty-two years in shipping and receiving at Maury Ohio. He was a devoted member of Rose Hill Freewill Baptist Church and also ministered at several other congregations.

Richard was a true outdoorsman who found great joy in hunting, fishing, and tending to his chickens.

He is survived by his children, John “Dwight” McConnell of Lawrenceburg, Robby Joe (Stacy) McConnell of Florida, Michael (Kayla) McConnell of Lebanon, Eric McConnell of Ethridge, Nancy (Jeff) Hart of Loretto, Betty Davis (Dale Darks) of Santa Fe, Kathy McConnell (Clifford Tidwell) of Ethridge, and Christina McConnell of Columbia, brothers, Freddie McConnell of Mt. Pleasant, Lannie (Sue) McConnell of Minor Hill, sisters, Cookie Lee, Sue Irvin, Joan McConnell, Jane McConnell, honorary granddaughter, Jaden Thompson, sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie Mae McConnell.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Mike McConnell, Raymond Davis, Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Austin Davis, and Clifford Tidwell. Honorary pallbearers will include Dale Darks, Eric “Bubba” McConnell, Dwight McConnell, Chloe Bre, Bonnie Weaver, and the doctors, nurses, and staff at NHC Scott.