HOPKINS - Michale Karnes Connelly, 75, of Hopkins passed away in her sleep on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018 after a valiant battle against metastatic breast cancer. Mrs. Connelly was born in Greensboro, NC to the late Clifton Hill Karnes, Jr. and Nita Alexander Karnes on October 12, 1942.
Michale was a devoted wife and mother and was known for her love of classical piano, tennis, and painting. She was an equine enthusiast with a special love for all four-legged creatures. It was her dream to live out in the country, have lots of animals, and raise a family with the love of her life, Mike. She graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1960 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1964 and a Master of Arts in History in 1969, both from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She married Dr. Owen S. Connelly, Jr. (“Mike”) in Monroe, NC on April 11, 1965. After living in North Carolina and Kentucky, they settled in Columbia, South Carolina so that Mike could pursue his dream of writing and teaching history at the University of South Carolina. Shortly after moving to Columbia, they built a house outside of the city (Hopkins, SC) which they made their home for 47 years.
Michale coached for many years in the Junior Tennis League, was a very active school volunteer and substitute teacher, and started a career as an Echo Sonographer when the kids were older. While it was challenging to persuade her to perform in public, she was an accomplished pianist. She earned an honorary DVM degree for her boundless devotion and care of the family horses, dogs and cats over the years. She was sophisticated, intelligent, talented, nurturing, and simply one-of-a-kind. She was adored by her three children and will be deeply missed.
Mrs. Connelly was preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Nita Karnes, and her husband, Owen S. Connelly, Jr. She is survived by her brother, Clifton Karnes (Sharon) of Greensboro, NC; her three children, Owen Connelly (Cynthia) of Columbia, SC; Lexi Frost (David) of Charlotte, NC; and Rachel DiMaria (Michael) of Chapin, SC; six grandchildren Lucy, Lois, Sabrina and Nadia Frost; Jacob and Josh DiMaria; one nephew; and seven nieces.
A memorial service for Mrs. Connelly will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street, Columbia, SC at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 29th, 2018. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the same location.
Memorial donations in memory of Michale K. Connelly may be made to Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at https://ww5.komen.org/.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5