Georgetown: Charlie Arthur McConnell died Monday, August 27, 2012, at Tidelands Community Hospice after a valiant three month ordeal with cancer. Mr. McConnell was born April 29, 1926 in Jenkinsville, SC, to the late William Thomas McConnell and Eva Turkett McConnell, but his birth certificate was not signed until five days later, making his legally recorded birthday May 4, 1926. Mr. McConnell graduated from Jenkinsville High School in June of 1944 and immediately enlisted in the Navy to defend his country. He served aboard an LST in the Pacific Theater until the war ended, participating in the Battle of Okinawa, and he was honorably discharged from military service in 1946. He arrived in Georgetown in April of 1947 to play minor league baseball with the Georgetown Athletics, and became employed with the Kaminski Hardware Company. On February 12, 1949, he married the love of his life, Betty Bruns McConnell, and their union lasted 59 years until her death in 2008. Mr. McConnell worked in hardware companies for 65 years, even after his 86th birthday earlier this year. He was a member of Duncan United Methodist Church. He had an amazing spirit, never met a stranger, and enjoyed life's simple pleasures. In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. McConnell was predeceased by: four brothers, Thomas McConnell, William McConnell, Andrew McConnell, and Robert McConnell, and two sisters, Sara Rast and Jean Cook. Mr. McConnell is survived by: a daughter, Trudy McConnell Bazemore and her husband Jay Bazemore of Georgetown, three sisters, Edith Koon and Margaret McConnell, both of West Columbia, and Mary Crosby of Vero Beach, Florida, along with many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery Thursday afternoon, August 30, 2012 at one o'clock with Rev. Michael Leonhardt officiating. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or to the charity of one's choice. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440