BOYKINS, VA – Shirley Beatty Connell, age 82, of Boykins, VA, passed away on September 20, 2018 at the VCU Medical Center Critical Care Hospital of Richmond, VA.

Mrs. Connell was born on March 24, 1936 to Edward Eugene and Annie Lena Rodgester Beatty in Greensville County, VA. Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt that will be deeply missed by all that knew her. She loved working in her yard. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her grandsons. She was a dedicated member of the Boykins community working hard in the Auxiliary of the Boykins Rescue Squad and Boykins Fire Department. Shirley was a faithful member of the Boykins Baptist Church.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton P. Connell; her sister, Betty Beatty Moore; and her brother, Marvin Eugene Beatty.

Left to cherish Shirley’s memory are her daughter, Belinda Connell Harrell and husband Jerry of Ahoskie; her three grandsons, Jacob Allen Harrell and wife Amber of Aulander, NC, Joseph Clayton Harrell and Jarrett Ray Harrell, both of Ahoskie; her twin sister, Evelyn Beatty Ford of Boykins, VA; her adopted family, Tim, Vicky, and Stone Baker of Boykins, VA; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held Sunday, September 23, 2018, at 2:00 pm at the Boykins Baptist Church, Boykins, VA, with Rev. Scott Biggers, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to the Boykins Fire Department, 18127 N Railroad Ave, Boykins, VA 23827 or Boykins Baptist Church, 32057 Main Street, Boykins, VA, 23827 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search; type; Shirley Connell

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Connell family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.