Mrs. Mary Ellen Hunter Connell, aged 85, passed away surrounded by family Saturday, December 27, 2025. She was born May 12, 1940, to Roy and Thetus Woods Hunter and grew up in Perry, Florida. On January 30, 1959, she married her love JC Connell. They settled in Perry building a life together and raising their two sons, Clint and Ronnie. While in Perry, Mary Helen (as she was known to all) began a career in the local Badcock Home Furnishings store as a sales associate and later moved into a manager's position.

In the Fall of 1978, she and JC moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida and together they owned and operated their own Badcock Home Furnishings store for over 28 years before retiring together. Mary Helen was a wonderful homemaker creating a warm and comfortable home. She was known for her gifting delicious pound and carrot cakes. She enjoyed her work in the original Elks Lodge and the local Pilot Club, volunteering at the local hospital, and managing the information desk at Hometown Christmas. She attended the First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs.

Mrs. Mary Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband JC, son Ronnie Connell and her brothers Toby, Claude and Fred Hunter. After her husband's death, she soon moved to Manchester, Georgia to be closer to her son Clint and his family. She resided in her own home there from the Fall of 2019 until her death. During this time though, her heart remained in DeFuniak Springs warmly thinking of friendships built and memories created. She is survived by her son Clint Connell and wife Pepper of Warm Springs, Georgia; two grandchildren, Vicci Connell also of Warm Springs, Georgia and Dr. Hunter Jonus and husband Jasen of Roswell, Georgia and a great grandchild who knew her as Gran-Gran, Julia James Jonus also of Roswell, Georgia. Mention would also like to be made for a special caregiver Angel Arrington of Manchester, Georgia and for Mrs. Mary Helen's fur cat companion Mollee who made the move to Manchester and resided at her side the entire time.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home with Reverend Joel Glenn officiating.

Flowers may be sent to Clary-Glenn Funeral Home where Mrs. Mary Helen's service will take place or in lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Macedonia Baptist Church Capital Improvement Fund of Manchester, Georgia at 280 Old Woodbury Rd, Manchester, GA 31816.

Burial will be held at Magnolia Cemetery.