Connie Barr

Corinne “Connie” Buckels Barr, a beloved educator and cherished member of her community, went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2024, at the age of 87. A visitation will be held on November 11, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Ray Funeral Home, in Cleveland, MS 38732. A graveside service will follow at North Cleveland Cemetery at 11:00 AM.

She was born on May 3, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Martin Douglas and Ida Buckels. Connie dedicated her life to shaping the minds of young people, leaving a lasting impact through her teaching career. She served as a teacher for grades 7-12 in Memphis, Tennessee, and went on to teach college business courses at Loyola University in New Orleans and MDCC in Moorhead, Mississippi.

Connie was a proud graduate of Cleveland High School, where she was a member of the distinguished class of 1955. She continued her education by earning a bachelor's degree from Delta State University and a master's degree from Southern Mississippi. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom; she was actively involved in her students' lives and often opened her home to friends of her daughters and grandson, fostering a welcoming environment that exemplified her nurturing spirit.

Throughout her life, Connie demonstrated a deep passion for guiding young individuals. Her dedication was not limited to academics; she was a devoted brownie and Girl Scout leader, Red Cross certified, a high school clinic worker, and chairman of the church youth group. She also dedicated her time as a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Sunday School teacher, and served as the PTA president of Cedar Bluff Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin Douglas Buckels Jr. and Ida Mae Sills Buckels, as well as her daughter, Sarah Barr Szot, and nieces Suzan Armstrong Dye and Liza Jordan Vaughn.

Connie is survived by her daughter, Anne Barr Teasley of Knoxville, Tennessee, her grandson, Jonathan Szot of Cleveland, Mississippi, and her granddaughters, Amanda Teasley of Nashville, Tennessee, and Abby Teasley of Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Carolyn Buckels Armstrong of Cleveland, Mississippi, and Louise Buckels Vaughn of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Additionally, she took great joy in her role as a grandmother, celebrating the lives of her great-grandchildren, Dee, Amelia and Sylvia Szot, all of Cleveland, Mississippi. Connie will be remembered fondly by her special friends, Jimmie Lou Hazzard of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Carol Dean of Maryville, Tennessee.

Connie's legacy of kindness, guidance, and unwavering support for her family and community will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Heart Association or The Imagination Library.