Carrie Elizabeth McConnell

Carrie Elizabeth (Wolf) McConnell, 26, passed away Friday, February 26, 2016.  Carrie brightened the lives of all who encountered her and her light will be missed.  At the time of her death, she was living in Athens, TN, with her beloved husband, Ryan McConnell and golden retriever, Goose.

Carrie was a proud graduate of Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, after which she attended UT-Knoxville and UT-Chattanooga, earning her master’s degree in Professional School Counseling. Carrie always had a deep love for people, especially kids, and she was known for tapping into that love in her job as a guidance counselor at McMinn County High School. Whether it was as a volleyball coach or a mentor for students, Carrie’s passion for helping others and ability to better their day with her sweet smile was unmatched. Carrie was a follower of Christ and active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Cleveland for most of her life. Recently, she and Ryan started attending Eastanallee Baptist Church in Riceville. Carrie’s phone background when she passed was John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So do not be troubled or afraid.” Although it was unexpected, the family takes comfort that she was at peace when she passed away.

She was an avid fisherwoman, but always allowed Ryan to bait her hook and take her catch off the line. Carrie was a connoisseur of both dance and candy. She despised public speaking, but always had a large friend group. Her favorite time of the year was always the family beach vacation at St. George Island, Florida.

At 7 years old, Carrie was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy, which required a heart transplant. After waiting for months, she finally received a new heart from a young donor in Atlanta. Carrie never forgot her donor family and was always thankful for their generosity in the midst of tragedy. Her experience with her transplant drove her to use her life to advocate for organ donation. Despite her dislike for public speaking, Carrie was always willing to share her story and talk about the importance of organ donation. At the time of her death, Carrie was 19 years post-transplant.  We know that Carrie would rejoice in knowing that she herself was able to donate her organs to others in need.

Carrie is survived by her husband, Ryan McConnell, of Athens, TN; parents, Steven and Julianne (Voytko) Wolf of Cleveland, TN; sisters, Adrianne Wolf (Brad Crimmins) of Marquette, MI and Shelby Meek (Seth) of Annapolis, MD; brother, Eric Wolf of Cleveland, TN; father- and mother-in-law, Sean and Luanne McConnell, brother-in-law, Matthew McConnell (Katie), and sister-in-law, Lauren McConnell, all of Franklin, TN; grandparents, Edward and Mary Anne Voytko and Esther Wolf, all of Mansfield, OH; nephews, Garrett Crimmins and Hayden McConnell; niece, Julia Grace Crimmins; and Carrie’s dear golden retriever, Goose.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 155 Central Ave. NW, Cleveland, TN 37311.

A service celebrating Carrie’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Broad Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Randy Martin and Reverend Skip White officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Carrie’s memory to Donate Life Tennessee, 1600 Hayes St., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203.

You may share a message of condolence and your memories of Carrie by viewing the Wolf/McConnell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.