Mrs. Patsy Thompson Connell

January 21, 1945 - February 7, 2022

Patricia (Patsy) Thompson Connell, 77, passed away peacefully at home on February 7, 2022. Born in Rome, GA, she was a daughter of the late Fred Allen Thompson and Louise Morgan Thompson. She graduated from Hartsville High School in 1963. She attended Columbia College, and graduated from Campbell College in 1967with a degree in History. She worked as an elementary school teacher, and as a case manager for the Dept. of Disabilities and Special Needs at the Scott Center in Hartsville. Her favorite role in life, though, was being a devoted mother to her daughter, and doting aunt/great-aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. Patsy married her high school sweetheart, Bill Connell in 1965. They were married for 56 years, and have one daughter. Patsy was an active member of First Baptist Church in Hartsville. She loved the Lord, and her church family. She had a gift for crafts and decorating, and used those talents in the church for many years, being involved in the annual missions bazaar and various decorating committees. Patsy inherited a love of antiques from her mother, and enjoyed going to auctions and antique shops with her family and friends. She was an avid reader, carrying a book wherever she went. Her happy place was the cabin on Sugar Mountain that she and Bill bought during their retirement years. She spent many happy seasons there, but her favorite was snow in the winter. Patsy was loved by everyone she met. Her quiet, kind way made others feel instantly comfortable. She had compassion and empathy for others, and always wanted to help others in any way she could. She also had a silly side, and was always up for a fun adventure. She is survived by her husband, Bill Connell; her daughter, Mary Beth (Jeff) Klinar; sisters, Susan Harvey and Nancy (Gary) Walsh; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Allen Thompson; mother, Louise Morgan Thompson; brother-in-law, Walt Harvey. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Dr. Greg Boyd and the Rev. Dr. Bob Cline will officiate with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Hartsville or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.