Judy Connelly, 1949-2021

Judy Elaine Connelly, 71, of Fort Pierce, formerly of Lake Wales, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 at her residence.

She was born January 20, 1949 in Dothan, AL to the late Edlow and Emma Alice Bowden. She was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales until four years ago when she and her husband moved to Fort Pierce to be closer to their daughter. She was a strong Christian woman and a member of Christ Church on the Move.

During her professional career worked as a meter maid for the Lake Wales Police Department, a secretary for Mountain Lake Corporation, a phlebotomist for Lake Wales Hospital and Gessler Clinic and worked many years at Christy's Sundown. Judy was also an active volunteer in the Lake Wales community serving as a Girl Scout Leader, a reading tutor at the Lake Wales Public Library and Hillcrest Elementary School. And Judy was proud of her work as a Guardian ad Litem.

Judy was survived by her husband, Walter Byron Connelly, who is retired from the Polk County Sheriff Department; daughters, Lisa Connelly Jensen (Rolf) of Fort Pierce and Ashley Connelly O'Riley (Shawn) of Lake Wales; son, Mark Connelly of Alabama; and two grandchildren, Hailey Connelly of Lake Wales and Austin Jensen of Fort Pierce. She also had three extended grandchildren, Lyndsey Connelly, Justin Jensen and Emily O'Riley.

The family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. until the celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Rev. Steve Greshel officiating.