Ray Reynolds Conner

Ray Reynolds Conner, age 95, of Murrayville, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday December 29, 2021, at his home.  Ray is preceded in death by his wife; Maxine Fitts Conner, parents; Joseph Andrew Conner and Nancy Lizzie Malinda Bennett Conner, as well as his 8 siblings and a son-in-law Phillip Allison.  He is survived by his children, Kathy Allison, Allen (Doris) Conner, Melinda (Fred) Sullens and Mike (Becky) Conner; grandchildren, Sabrina (Charles) Ashley, Matthew (Misty) Conner, Katie Conner, Thomas (Jess) Sullens and Andrew (Kelly) Sullens; great-grandchildren; Caroline (Jordan) Hulsey, Eddie (Cadie) Ashley, Madison Conner, Michelle Conner, Delilah Conner, Maxine Sullens, Mackenzie Sullens, and Andrew Hinson.

Ray was born on December 7, 1926, at home in Murrayville Georgia.  He would spend his life in Murrayville as a respected member of the community.  Ray would start his career as a farmer and bus driver, and would later meet and marry the love of his life, Maxine Fitts.  They were married on April 28, 1949, on his bus by a justice of the peace on the side of Old Dahlonega Highway.  Ray and Maxine were married for 51 years until her death on October 5, 2000, they raised four children.  Ray drove a school bus for 50 years; he first drove for the Murrayville School.  At that time, you owned your own bus; he would go on to drive for Lanier School, and North Hall.  He touched the lives of generations of children.  Ray was the first bus driver to be recognized by the State of Georgia as a 50-year driver and holds a place in the Georgia Transportation Museum.

Ray was a quiet man with a good sense of humor.  Ray was a farmer who raised both cattle and chickens.  His hobbies were growing flowers and gardening where he would give away most of what he grew, including the eggs.  He was also an avid hunter.  He was a member of the Mountain Stream Saddle Club in his early years.  He owned a Palomino named Blonde for 40 years, the last 3 years of her life; he would grind her food into a fine powder; as she had lost all her teeth.  At his cabin in the woods “bachelor pad,” where he enjoyed feeding the turkeys and deer.  He was a loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, friend and will be missed.

A visitation will be held at the Dahlonega Funeral Home on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 2:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and Monday, January 3, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a funeral service to be held at Murrayville Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. John Dell and Rev. Tim Mitchell officiating.  Interment will follow at St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dahlonega, GA. 

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