Leona Connely

March 26, 1916 - January 19, 2010

Leona Mae Connell Connely was born at Zion Station, Kentucky in Grant County on March 26, 1916 and passed away at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline "Jackie Jo" and Billy E. Courts of Elliston, Kentucky in Grant County on January 19, 2010 at the age of 96. She was the only child of the late Charles and Eva Webster Connell. Her mother died when she was 3 years old and she was raised by her grandparents, Willis and Joann Atha Webster and lived the rest of her life at her grandparents home and farm.

On September 19, 1939, Mrs. Connely was united in marriage with Kenneth Harold Connely who passed away on August 8, 1991. From this union one daughter, Jacqueline "Jackie Jo" Courts was born. In additionto her loving daughter, Leona is survived by her son-in-law, Billy E. Courts; two granddaughters: Rachel and Randy Magee of Elliston, KY and Rebekah and Billy White of Elliston, KY; one grandson: Kenny and Missy Courts of Zion Station, KY;three great grandsons: Lucas Courts and Elijah Courts both of Zion Station,KY and Hiett White of Elliston, KY; one cousin: Edna Alexander ofIndependence,KY; two nieces: Shellye and Doug White of Shreveport,LA and Connie and Paul Collins of Bruce, MS; one nephew: Kim Mack of Cincinnati, OH and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Connelygraduated from the Crittenden High School in 1935 and was a member of the Elliston Baptist Church. She was a past member of the Ten Mile Baptist Church and attended the Dry Ridge Baptist Church. A charter member of the Grant County Homemakers, Flat Creek Elliston Homemaker Club, she was a member for 61 years and had perfect attendance. She served in many different offices and capacities. She was a wife, mother, farm manager, church worker, volunteer, babysitter to her three grandchildren and great grandmother to her three great grandsons.

Some of her many activities and organizations included: "Captain John Lillard"chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; "Happy Hunting Ground" chapter of the Children of the American Revolution, Grant County Farm Bureau Director and Woman'sChairman, Grant County Historical Society, Gallatin County Historical Society, Grant County Soil Conservation Volunteer, Grant County Fairboard Volunteer, Assistant Associational Clerk & Treasurer for Ten Mile Baptist Association - 17 years, Grant County Marching Band Volunteer "Uniform Grandma" and the Grant County Preservation Board.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, January 22, 2010 at the Hamilton - Stanley Funeral Home, 14635 Walton-Verona Rd., Verona, KY 41092. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4:00 - 9:00 PM, Thursday, January 21, 2010. Burial will follow in the Napoleon Cemetery, Gallatin County, KY. Memorials are suggested to the Dry Ridge Baptist Church or the Grant County Preservation Board/Friends of Sherman Tavern.