Anne McDowell Abernethy Connelly

Anne McDowell Abernethy Connelly, 90, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, NC died Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Born in Burke County, NC on February 27, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Lafayette Abernethy and Elizabeth Milne McDowell Abernethy. Her lifelong ambition was to be a nurse, and graduated from R. L. Long School of Nursing in Statesville, NC. Soon after graduation from nursing school, Anne married her high school sweetheart, Clark Connelly, and they began raising a family of five children, while Anne continued to pursue her nursing career. Throughout her life, Anne was an active member of the community, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Junior League, the Morganton Recreation Committee, a Girl Scout Leader, and an active member of the PTA for her numerous children. She loved playing bridge, sewing and knitting. One of her great loves was genealogy, being a descendent of the McDowells of Pleasant Gardens. Anne was a local source of McDowell knowledge, and published a book on the McDowell family history. She enjoyed volunteering in the Historical Room in the Burke County Library. Anne was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton where some of her ancestors were buried. Anne will be sadly missed by all of her family and friends.She is survived by her son, John Connelly of Nebo, NC; daughters, Elizabeth Connelly Jackson of Dallas, TX, Ruth Connelly Keller of Morganton, and Anna Connelly Schlawiedt of Merritt Island, FL; nieces, Margaret Elizabeth Grille of N. Palm Beach, FL and Agnes Patricia Thompson of Placentia, CA; eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by her husband, James Clark Connelly, and a son, James Moulton Connelly.Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Forest Hill Cemetery with Rev. Beth Ann Miller officiating. The family will receive friends at the Grace Ridge Mezzanine on Sunday from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. At other times the family will be at the residence of her daughter, Ruth Keller, 119 Laurel Hills Dr., Morganton, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.