Darlene O. McConnell of Opelika, died peacefully at her home after a short, but hard, battle with lung cancer on June 20, 2021. She was born to the late Charles David Olivier and June LaJaunie Olivier in Houma, Louisiana, on Nov. 8, 1960. She was 60 years old.
She was preceded in death by her father, Charles; mother, June and sister, Christine Janow (Texas).
Darlene is survived by her husband, Johnnie McConnell, children, Phillip McConnell and Jill Strickland, grandchild, Trey Strickland, great-grandchild Hudson Strickland, sisters, Charlene Cocke (South Carolina), Jan Blanchard (Louisiana), brother, David Olivier (Texas), Godchild Travis Blanchard (Louisiana), nieces, Kristy Wade, Missy Sundgren (both of Texas), Jessica Burrows and Amy Cocke (both of South Carolina), Jinni Bouorgeois (Louisiana), Brianna Olivier (Texas), Shelby Gates (Texas), Lucie Britton (Ohio), Linda Woods (Missouri), Sharon Morgan (Opekila), Stephanie Tilton (Idaho), Terrie Roberts (Smith Station), Theresa (Phenix City), Kim, Tanya and Sandy Phillips (Opelika), Danielle McConnell (Alexander City), Michelle and Roxanne Statola (Texas), nephews, Charles and Tanner Olivier, Dakota Olivier (all of Texas), Chad Ashley (South Carolina), Warren ”David” Cocke, Jr. (South Carolina), Rob Biggs and Danny McConnell (Opelika), Clint Morgan (Opelika), Gene McConnell (Phenix City), Chris McConnell Justin McConnell (Florida), John Micheal and Tony Statola (Texas), great-niece Presley Blanchard (Louisiana), Aleigh, Emma, Piper, McKinley Wade (Texas), Alaina Burrows (South Carolina), Branylyn Morgan (Opelika), great-nephew David “Trey” Bourgeois, III, Trevis, and Kanon Sungren (Texas), Cody and Conner Ashley, Gage Burrows (South Carolina), Evan Olivier, John Sorrels, Jr. (Texas), Jacob and Luke Morgan (Opelika).
Darlene worked with Lee County Home Health as an in-home aide for 19 years. She took pride in her family. She loved plants, flowers and cats. She was a die-hard fan of the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!).
The family will have a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, at Hopewell United Methodist Church with Reverend Drue Tubbs officiating. A gathering of fellowship will immediately follow her memorial service.