Conner, Sidnah Josephine

Native Chattanoogan Loved The Environment And Traveling

  • Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Sidnah Josephine Conner
Sidnah Josephine Conner

Sidnah Josephine Conner passed away peacefully on Monday morning, July 6, 2020, at Dominion Senior Living of Hixson.

Jo, as she liked to be known, was a native of Chattanooga, and was born on Jan. 21, 1928, to Reba Ellis and Jesse P. Conner Sr. in the family home on their farm in the Tyner area. Farm life gave Jo an appreciation for hard work as well as a lifetime love of animals, especially dogs. 

She was a graduate of Tyner High School, and received an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, then later in life a master's degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina at Columbia.

Two years after graduation from UTK, Jo had the distinction of being selected as one of 22 girls chosen from the United States of America to work as Recreation Directors with the Civilian Department of the United States Army.  She was stationed in Germany for three years.    

Other favorite jobs over her work career included the YWCA in New Jersey; director of the USO (United Service Organization) in Columbia, S.C.; and as a social worker with the state of South Carolina, from which she retired.

She frequently referred to herself as "a mover and a shaker" and "a hiker and a biker". She loved traveling the world as well as the USA. She was a strong, independent, educated woman who encouraged equal rights for all. She loved the environment, and supported ways to keep the earth healthy. She considered it a personal accomplishment to have hiked part of the Appalachian Trail.   Many a weekend in Columbia would find her biking with friends. Jo was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Jesse P. Conner Jr.  

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Betty Jean Conner; two nieces, Rebecca Conner (Tyler) Overley, Marcia Conner (Tom) Smith; one great-nephew, Conner Thomas Smith; two great-nieces, Cara Jean Smith and Sarah Jane Overley, plus several cousins in Nashville.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at the Tyner Cemetery with Chaplain Rachel Erickson, Hospice of Chattanooga, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga, Tennessee; or PETSinc of West Columbia, S.C.

The family would like to thank Dominion Senior Living of Hixson for their daily loving care of Aunt JoJo plus The Weston Group (Physical Therapy), Guardian Home Health Care, National Seating and Mobility, and ComfortKeepers for their wonderful care of her over the years. Our grateful thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga, the Mountain View Team, for their compassionate care the last four months of her life. A special thank you to Sherry Glover of Grace Home Primary Care for being Aunt Jojo's amazing and dedicated Nurse Practitioner these past six and a half years.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.

Sidnah Josephine Conner
Sidnah Josephine Conner
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