BOYKINS — Shirley Beatty Connell, 82, passed away on Sept. 20, 2018, in the VCU Medical Center Critical Care Hospital of Richmond, Virginia.

Mrs. Connell was born on March 24, 1936, to Edward Eugene and Annie Lena Rodgester Beatty in Greensville County, Virginia.

Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt who will be deeply missed by all who 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, North Carolina; her three grandsons, Jacob Allen Harrell and wife, Amber, of Aulander, North Carolina; Joseph Clayton Harrell and Jarrett Ray Harrell, both of Ahoskie; her twin sister, Evelyn Beatty Ford of Boykins; her adopted family, Tim, Vicky and Stone Baker of Boykins; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The celebration of life memorial service will be on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m. in the Boykins Baptist Church with the 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 St., 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.