David Daniel Conner, 82, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2023, at his home, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. He was surrounded by his loving family, to whom he was known as “Poppa”.
A native of Pierce County, he was born to the late John B. Conner and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bell Conner, and lived most of his entire adult life in Jesup. A graduate of Jesup High School, class of 1960, he was a Yellow Jacket letterman in football, starting as both a defensive and offensive tackle on Jesup’s 1959 state championship team, being recognized as both All-Region and All-State. At the age of 20, he married the love of his life, Charlotte Elaine Boatright, of Scuffletown, and the two spent 62 happy years together until his death. He was supremely devoted to Charlotte and his family, and spent the happiest years of his life in Scuffletown with the Boatright family and on Macon Street in Jesup with the Conner and Madray families.
He reared two children, Mike Conner and Michele Conner. He was also blessed with five grandchildren, Dalton, Conner and Hanna Powell, Cullen and David Conner, upon whom he showered love, affection and wisdom. Throughout his life, he had an especially close relationship with his two brothers, John and Paul Conner, and his nephew, Kevin Boatright, whom he considered as another son. He worked hard his entire adult life to support his family, working at Waynline for many years, serving 14 years in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Jesup Police Department during the 1960s, and later as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department during the 1960s and 1970s. He eventually completed a successful 32-year career with Rayonier’s Jesup Mill, from which he retired in 2008. His public service to Jesup also included his work as a volunteer fireman from 1972-1995. Having given his heart to Christ earlier in his life, he was a member of Jesup Church of God, where he faithfully and regularly attended services, even during his recent illnesses.
Survivors are his wife, Charlotte; his son, Mike Conner (Toni), Pooler; his daughter, Michele Powell (Richie), Jesup; five grandchildren, Dalton, Conner and Hanna Powell and Cullen and David Conner; two brothers, John and Paul Conner (Sheila); four sisters-in-law, Joyce Cason and Dianne King (Jerry), Joy and Edna Boatright and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Jesup Church of God.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, from the Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten officiating.
Interment will follow in the Martha Memorial Cemetery, 444 Martha Memorial Loop, Bristol, with Jason King providing remarks.
Active pallbearers will be his family.
Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Hires, Otis Moxley, Larry Stanfield, Johnny Flowers, Bradley Myer, Jeremy Stively, Grant Lewis, Harry Spell, Bill Garlen and Jesup Church of God Senior Adults.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Children’s Ministry of Jesup Church of God, 444 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
