Mr. Edward Cohen Conner, age 81 died at Pitt Memorial Hospital on Saturday, November 8, 2008. Mr. Conner was born in Bertie County and has lived most of his life in Scotland Neck. He was married to Dorothy Strickland Conner in 1953 and they have enjoyed fifty-five wonderful years of marriage. He was a veteran of the United States Army of which he served his country proudly. Mr. Conner was a member of the Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Scotland Neck. He was a deacon for twenty-four years. Mr. Conner was employed by the Town of Scotland Neck for thirty years where he worked for the Water and Sewer Department. Following retirement from the Town of Scotland Neck, he became self employed and worked as a plumber for ten years. Mr. Conner was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his church, family, friends and his UNC Tarheels.
Preceding him in death are his mother, Carrie Dempsey, father, Vernon Conner, one sister, Janie Elizabeth Conner, two brothers; William and J.C. Conner.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Strickland Conner of the home, one son, Rev. Ray Conner, Sr. and his wife Ginny of Newport, one brother, Linwood Conner and his wife Rachel of Aulander, four sisters; Barbara Taylor of Woodruff, S.C., Marilyn Daniels and her husband Jimmy of Ahoskie, Betty Mizelle of Aulander and Elva Dean Burden and her husband Jack of Aulander. Also surviving are three grandsons; Raymond Conner, Jr. and his wife Nena, Joseph Conner and Marcus Conner along with one great grandson, Finley Conner.
I just learned of Mr. Cohen’s passing after reading his obit in the News-Herald. I have a picture of Mr. Cohen, my dad (Sidney Clark), and Vann Dempsey taken years ago (around 1951 or 1952). They were in the Army Reserves together, I believe, and this is the reason for the picture. While I never knew Mr. Conner, I feel like I do, because I know all his brothers and sisters and I remember his mother, Mrs. Carrie. My heart goes out to all of you in your loss. Keeping you in my prayers.
Mr. Conner was a friendly gentleman.
We will miss Cohen he was a good friend.