Nell Connally

Nell Krichbaum Connally, 91, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in a local health care facility.A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, she was the daughter of the late Bessie Polk and William Henry Krichbaum. Her father was the mayor of the town of Alton Park, Tenn., before it was annexed by the city of Chattanooga.Mrs. Connally was preceded in death by her husband, R. Gurney Connally Sr.; her four children, Shelia, Gurney Jr., Michael and Krich; her four brothers, William, Edward, Hollum "Joe" and Harry "Bud".She is survived by cousins, George West Krichbaum Jr. and Jennie Lynn Krichbaum, both of North Carolina, and James and Edith Krichbaum of Mississippi; several nieces and nephews. The family extends great appreciation to her special neighbors, Dale Smith and Michael Jennings, for the love and care that you showed. Mrs. Connally began her working career at Miller Brothers in the music department, and she was the pianist at Alton Park Methodist Episcopal Church in her younger days. She and her husband owned and operated several pharmacies through the years. Later in life she worked in the offices of Martha Karr, CPA and Grisham and Knight, Attorneys at Law. After retirement, Mrs. Connally served as receptionist in various beauty salons, mainly for her best friend, Ruby Burns Courtney. Mrs. Connally was a member of Brainerd United Methodist Church and the Wesley Sunday School Class. Through the years, she was a member of the United Methodist Women and served as the Program Resources and Hospitality Co-Coordinator. As a member of the Asebi Court #36 Order of the Shrine she held the office of musician.She was an avid UT sports fan and a follower of the Chattanooga Lookouts.Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park with the Rev. Genevieve DeHoog officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brainerd United Methodist Church Building Fund; c/o Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.Please share your memories at ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Friday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.