M. Berniece Mcconnell

M. Berniece McConnell, 90 of Independence, passed away Sat. Feb 4, 2006 at her home. Services will be 1:00 pm, Thu. Feb. 9, 2006 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave. Indep. MO. Burial in Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 - 7:30 pm, Wednesday at the chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Independence Symphony or the American Cancer Society. Mrs. McConnell was born on Mar 2, 1915 to William and Mary (Teasley) Martin in Lincoln County, MO. She had been a Registered Nurse with the Kansas City School District from 1954 until her retirement in 1981. She had previously been a private duty nurse at the Independence Sanitarium, a public health nurse for the Missouri Department of Health and Lake City Ammunitions Plant. Mrs. McConnell was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed canning and gardening and sharing the bounty of her garden with others. She was a member of the Blue Ridge Color Slide Club, the Walnut Gardens Community of Christ Congregation and was on the Board of the AARP at the Palmer Center. She was also a volunteer at the Shepard Center doing Blood Pressure Checks. Mrs. McConnell was preceded in death by her husband, Loren Elbert McConnell and a sister Arlene Corbin. She is survived by a son, Terry McConnell of Independence; a daughter, Merrie K. Purpura and her husband Howard of Independence. A grandson, Christopher Martin Purpura and his wife Kendel of Lafayette, IN. A brother, Harvey S. Martin of Moscow Mills, MO; a brother in law, Daniel McConnell and his wife Genevieve of Alpine, TX and by numerous nieces and nephews.