Dustin Tamon McConnell Jr.

Dustin Tamon McConnell Jr. of Cartersville Georgia, age 13, tragically passed away on Wednesday, March 16th 2022. He was born on January 16th, 2009 in Marietta, Ga. “Lil D” was the ‘heart and whole world’ to his mother, Jennifer Jones. He admired his big brother Jaylin Jones, who left his earthly home in September 2020 and was the proud uncle to baby Theo Jones. His beloved Paw Paw, Ricky Jones, describes him as a “chicken eating machine”. Dustin Jr, or “Bud” as his Father called him, was the son to Dustin McConnell Sr. He was surrounded by an abundance of love by his family friends and large extended family.

From the time he could walk he excelled in every sport he played. If his feet were on the ground, they were likely in cleats. From soccer in his younger years, basketball and football- he was unstoppable and destined for greatness. Whether he was on the court or on the field, he was dominating. Dustin Jr. was a 7th grader at Cass Middle School where he was a starting safety on their football team and also played as a wide receiver. Coach Quentin Kent says “Lil D is a fighter! He played with heart, passion, and a ‘never give up mindset’. He was always a brother for his teammates. He took up for them. He protected them and he celebrated with them. He was a teammate and player that you can count on. He displayed a true competitor mentality, no matter the task asked of him. Just an amazing kid, player, and teammate”!

Dustin is preceded is in death by his brother, Jaylin Jones; grandmother, Donna Munday; great-grandparents, Dean and Edna Jones and Gus and Betty Massey; great-uncles, James and Clyde Jones; on his mother’s side. His brother, Demaurion McConnell; grandmother, Sharon McConnell; on his father’s side.

Survivors include his Mother, Jennifer Jones, his cherished Paw-Paw, Ricky Jones and nephew Theo Jones all of Cartersville, GA; Father, Dustin McConnell Sr. (fiancé Indya Floyd) and siblings Tatyana Brown, Daylon Bailey, Nakedra Bailey, Koei Wilkey, Autumn McConnell; paternal grandfather, Antonio McConnell; aunts, and uncles, Earl (Kim) Lanham of White, GA, Lorrie (Phil) Harris formerly of Cartersville, GA; great-uncles, Joe Jones, Lavell (Diane) Jones and Daryl Jones, all of Alabama; great-aunt, Elizabeth (Jimmy) Huett of Alabama; cousin, Austin (Savanna) Wyatt and their children, Kalee and Mackenzie of Cartersville, GA.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family beginning at 1 o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 27th of March, 2022 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will follow, starting promptly at three o’clock. Immediately followed by a precession to Oak Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Austin Wyatt, Royce Smith, Quentin Kent, Bryant Wallace, Kaleb Jeffers and Courtney Slocum.

Honorary pallbearers are Ricky Jones, Earl Lanham, KJ Smith, Christian McGee, Shamarion McClaurin, Kyron McClendon, Ja’kez Baldwin, Jordan Atkins, Kaiden Kent, Quante Jennings, Jr.

Serving as flower girls are Kalee Wyatt, Mackenzie Wyatt, Kedra Bailey, Kaonna Turner, Koei Wilkey and Marley Chitwood.

Honorary flower girls are Autumn McConnell, Braelynn Lynn, Destiny Lynn, Avery Chitwood.

The family would also like to acknowledge the Cass Middle School football team and coaches; Stephen and Keisha Lynn; Carie, Khrystin, Kourtney, Marley and Avery Chitwood; Ty’Nia Youngblood; Marc Pierre; Tenishia, TA’Myia and Christian McGee;

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be brought to Owen Funeral Home addressed to Ricky Jones.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.