Wilma Beatrice Davis McConnell

Wilma Beatrice Davis McConnell

Wilma Davis McConnell was born August 2, 1942, in Blackwater, Virginia, to Guy and Zelma Davis. She grew up there alongside her brother, Don, surrounded by the mountains and communities that would always feel like home.

From an early age, Wilma was bright, determined, and full of possibility. She graduated as valedictorian from Blackwater High School, played basketball, and served as poetry editor for her school newspaper. She dreamed of becoming an air hostess and even attended stewardess school in Minnesota. When the country began looking for young people to enter Civil Service, however, Wilma changed course and went to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Secretary of the Navy at the Pentagon.

Eventually, home called her back to Southwest Virginia.

Wilma returned and went to work at the Mead. Then, one evening while cruising Broad Street in Kingsport, she met Hugh McConnell, and the life she would build began to take shape.

Eventually settling on a farm in Hiltons, Virginia, Wilma and Hugh raised chickens and cattle, grew tobacco, tended the land, welcomed more than a few stray dogs, and raised four sons.

It was a life that required hard work, patience, and resilience, all qualities Wilma possessed in abundance. She had a quiet strength about her. She did what needed to be done, cared deeply for the people around her, and never seemed to need recognition for either.

Wilma loved growing flowers and planted a large vegetable garden every year. She had a gift for tending things, whether it was a garden, a farm, her family, or the people who found their way into her life.

When her sons were older, Wilma returned to the workforce at Scott Country Farm Service Agency, where she spent years helping farmers and families throughout the community, many of them her own friends and

neighbors. It was work that suited her well because Wilma understood both the people and the land, they depended upon.

As her sons grew and married, Wilma welcomed her three daughters-in-law not simply into the family, but into her heart. Becoming a grandmother brought another season she treasured deeply. She spent many years caring for, visiting, and making memories with her six grandchildren, whether they were close to home in Virginia or farther away in Kansas and Massachusetts. In time, she had the joy of becoming a great-grandmother as well.

The young woman who had once dreamed of seeing the world also got the chance to do just that. Wilma enjoyed traveling with friends and visited Alaska, Israel, Europe, the Grand Canyon, and many other places, along with taking several cruises. She was curious about the world and enjoyed every opportunity to experience somewhere new, even though Southwest Virginia was always home.

Wilma will be remembered for her kindness, her gentle nature, her quiet strength, and the way she cared for the people in her life. Hers was a life filled with hard work and adventure, family and friendship, gardens and farm days, faraway travels and the comfort of coming home.

More than anything, she leaves behind a family who knew they were loved.

Wilma is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Von and Carolyn McConnell, Brent and Tracey McConnell, and Kelvin and Crystal McConnell; her grandchildren, Justine and husband Chris, Sara and fiancé Alistaire, Seth and wife Candace, Brynne, Liam, and Luke; her great-grandchildren, Elauna, Clark, and Clara; and the many family members, friends, and neighbors who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Hiltons Memorial United Methodist Church, 2869 Hilton Rd, Gate City, VA. Services will be held at 3:00 pm with Pastor Scott Vermillion officiating. Music will be provided by Dale Jett. Burial will follow in the McConnell Cemetery located on the family farm in Hiltons.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.