Albert J. Conner

Wow! I was born November 13, 1942, and what a wonderful 30,160 days it was. On June 10, 2025, I got to go to my heavenly home. There are so many family and friends here too, it is unbelievable!

What adventures I have had while I was here! I married my high school sweetheart Ellen Mae, sixty-one years ago, on June 6, 1964. We had two sons, Michael and Jeffery and his love Leanne. We had the joy of two grandsons, Hunter and his love, Jodi, and Jordan and his love, Kayla. On June 7, 2024, Hunter and Jodi gave us our first great-granddaughter, Magnolia Jane. My brother, Curtis Lee and his wife, Brenda are still here too. Who would have thought we would have been so blessed?

I have many family members that went on before me and were waiting when I got here, my mom, Rosa Virginia Armentrout Conner; my dad, Albert Lee Conner; my sisters, Shirley Ann and Beatrice Kay Conner; my brother, Clarence Edward Conner; my half-brother, Lloyd Fitzgerald; and half sisters Mary Martha, Mamie Sue, Mable Lee, and Helen.

A major part of my life was our church family. I started attending Grace Baptist Church, which later became Ridgeview Baptist Church with Ellen in about 1963. There were so many great people that became a part of our family. I was a trustee, usher, and many other duties for many years and took care of the sound system, too. The most important thing was learning and growing in God's love over the many years.

There are so many nieces and nephews that were indeed just as much a part of my wonderful family as my own - I know because many got the same encouragement to do good, as my own. There might have been a few that needed some extra encouragement, but look at them now!

I spent many years in a garage and/or at the gas station. I had an amazing time creating an amazing group of family and friends there. I worked on so many cars for so many people. The garage became a place to get your car fixed, tell stories (some true and some not), sit, and have a Dr. Pepper, and a pack of Nabs! There were many people that worked there … or were supposed to be working! They became a part of the “station family” as well - truly, many were actually family to begin with. Over the years, there were many State Police officers and Augusta County deputies that found it to be a good place for a Dr. Pepper and Nabs too. When they came, that is when the stories flew! What great times! When we left the “gas station”, the only thing that changed was the location where we gathered and got some work done and told more stories.

Then it became time to bring my wrenches home and for Dale to take the “wreckers” and keep Conner's Towing going. Once home, I spent lots of time mowing and doing what Ellen Mae put on the list. We did some traveling and spent lots of time with the “boys”, creating so many memories. There were ups and downs, but there was always the love of God, family, and friends to keep us going.

If you’d like to stop by and share a story, a smile, or just be with my family and friends, we’ll be gathering together from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Ridgeview Baptist Church in Stuarts Draft - I always loved a good catch-up, and I know everyone would love to see you there.

The funeral service will be held the next morning, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, also at Ridgeview.

Afterward, I’ll be laid to rest at Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery in Stuarts Draft. It’s a peaceful little place, and it means a lot to me and my family.

Also, if you're the type who'd rather honor someone with a good deed, my family invites you to consider a memorial donation in my name to either the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (1010 Ednam Center, Ste. 203, Charlottesville, VA 22903) - they’re doing work that matters - or to the Gideons International (P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251), to help keep spreading God’s Word.

Let me just say that 30,160 days sounds like a long time, but boy - does it go fast. I have enjoyed my time here and will miss you but - WOW! - what a place my new home is!

Can’t wait to see you again soon.

With love, AJ