Ercylene Elizabeth (Charles) McConnell

Life’s Reflections

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." 

Proverbs 31:10

Ercylene Elizabeth Charles McConnell 84, was born Thursday, November 10, 1932 in Lockhart, Louisiana to Jacob and Gracie Nelson Charles. She was affectionately called “Ercy" and "Lene."  She departed this life on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Calvester McConnell, parents, sisters Violet Williams, Wynell Hicks, Cecilia Mae Jackson, Wynona Reed Smith, Beedie Charles, Samanthia Charles, Luetitia Hendricks and brothers Lazarus Charles, Caesar Charles, Frank Henry Charles. 

Ercylene declared her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, uniting with Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Lillie, LA. Serving the Lord became her life’s work.

She attended Clark Elementary in Lockhart, LA. and graduated from Douglass High School in Lillie, LA., where she excelled in all academic areas. 
Ercylene continued her education at Grambling College in Grambling, LA, while serving as a caretaker in the home of Coach Eddie Robinson. During this time, she was actively corresponding with Calvester, between her duties as caretaker and student and his as a Private First Class in the United States Army, stationed in Germany.

When Calvester's tour with the United States Army was complete, he returned to his family’s home in Lillie, Louisiana where he and Ercylene decided to unite in holy matrimony. After, a whirlwind marriage and rural honeymoon, Calvester left Louisiana to find employment opportunities in the Kansas City area. He sent for his sweetheart, a few months later. This union was blessed with six children. Ercylene and Calvester shared in the duties to assist younger members of the family, after the death of his mother. 

After moving to the Kansas City, Kansas area in 1953, Ercylene united with the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church serving under with the pastorate of Reverend H.C. Chambers. Ercylene has been a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church for more than sixty years. She served as Deaconess, former Mission President, member of the Adult Sunday School Class and Bible Study. In October 2015, Ercylene was installed into the 18th Annual Phyllis Jean Brown Missionary Hall of Fame through the Kansas State Missionary Department.

 In 1969, the couple added foster children to their brood, they served as foster parents for more than forty years. During this period of service, the couple encouraged and helped more than 100 children and young adults. Ercylene also served as a MAPP trainer for the State of Kansas, which allowed her to train other foster parents. In 2002, Mr. and Mrs. McConnell were recognized as Hometown Heroes for their work with foster children.

Ercylene was a professional manicurist with the Bonwit Teller Company, before retiring in 1996. She continued to serve a few private clients post-retirement. 
Ercylene enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She also traveled and visited many exciting places in the United States, which included visits to Alaska as well as Hawaii. Ercylene always had a funny story to tell or some type of joke to share, her laughter was infectious. A true Social Butterfly, she enjoyed good times and good food. She truly believed laughter and social interaction were good medicine, because she enjoyed, sponsored and participated in many social gatherings and activities. Ercylene was known as an outstanding pound cake and cobbler baker.

She leaves to cherish her memory children, Gloria (Ward) Mitchell of Decatur TX, Peggy (Joseph) Taylor, Kansas City, KS, Charles (Martha) McConnell of Irving, TX, Lawrence H. McConnell, Kansas City KS, Sherri L. McConnell of Sandy Springs, GA and KeVonte Hawkins- McConnell ; Grandchildren, Ward Mitchell, Jr, Charles, II (Katrina) McConnell, Marcus (Sandee) McConnell, Jacob Mitchell, Patrice McConnell, Stephanie Mitchell, Eric McConnell, Randy Taylor, Emmanuel Mitchell, and Nathan Mitchell; four great-grandchildren, Zaria Doss, Joziah, Solomon, and Zoe McConnell. A Special Cousin Harold Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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