Larry Joe Connelly, 85, of Valdese, NC entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, after an extended period of declining health. Mr. Connelly was born on July 11, 1938, to the late Gaither Connelly and Gaylain Hawkins Connelly.  Mr. Connelly was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Valdese. He retired from General Electric Company, Hickory NC and Dana Incorporated, Morganton, NC.  In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his son, Larry Christopher Connelly, brothers; Everett Connelly, Rev. Marvin Connelly, Sr., Herman Connelly, James Winfred Connelly, Cline Lee Connelly, Sr., John Collins, and sister Ida Mary Connelly Conaway.

Larry is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years; Mary Alice Bristol Connelly of the home, daughter, Rev. Alicia Connelly, Morganton, NC, son, Rev. Dr. Joe D. Connelly, Esq., New Orleans, LA., grandson, Joshua Connelly (Courtney), Kenner, LA., granddaughter, Dr. Cherish Taylor, (Rev. Damaris) Boston, MA, great-grandson, Josiah Connelly, Kenner, LA, great-granddaughter, Selah Taylor, Boston, MA, brother, Michael Young, Asheville, NC, sisters-in-law; Doris Connelly, Valdese, NC, Gail Connelly, Marion, NC, Sandra Connelly, Stanley, NC, and Joyce Connelly, District Heights, MD; godson, Larry Jenkins (Ada) , Morganton, special sons, Roger Bradshaw (Andrea) , Valdese, NC and Charles Kincaid Jr. (Rev. Amy), Morganton, NC, special friends David Fleming (Jacqueline), Bellefontaine, Ohio and James McGimpsey, Valdese, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 28, 2023, at 1:00 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Valdese, NC with Rev. Dr. Joe D. Connelly, Eulogist. Interment will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations in honor of Mr. Larry Joe Connelly be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by clicking the link below:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Donation Page

The service will be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A