Jennifer McConnell

Jennifer Dawn Greer McConnell, 54, a devoted and accomplished registered nurse for thirty-five years passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital North in Lutz, Florida. Born on December 17, 1971, in Sumter County, Americus, Georgia, Jennifer dedicated her life to the care and well-being of others, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the nursing profession.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Aaron Frazier and Rev. Rocky Carrington officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 9:30 to 10:30. The interment will follow the funeral in the church cemetery, followed by a celebration of life luncheon in the Mt. Zion Social Hall.

Zachary Bell Peppers, A. J. Greer, Joshua Phelps, Korey Harper, Jay Taylor, Drew Taylor, and Stacey McIntosh will serve as the pallbearers.

Jennifer graduated from Pierce County High School in 1989 and pursued her passion in healthcare by earning her nursing credentials from Waycross College in 1992. Her career was distinguished by her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to patient care. She served as an Emergency Room and Flight Trauma Nurse, roles demanding exceptional skill and courage, often providing critical lifesaving interventions in high-pressure situations. Her leadership was further recognized when she became Chief Nursing Officer, guiding teams with compassion and integrity. She ended her career as the Assistant Director of Quality Assurance at SenCare Management for the Assisted Living.

Throughout her career, Jennifer’s dedication and excellence were acknowledged through numerous honors. In 2007, she received the Performance Club Cornerstone Award, followed by the TravelMax Medical Professionals Maximum Outstanding Performance Award in 2009. Her contributions extended beyond immediate patient care, earning her the Department of Elder Affairs Certificate of Achievement in 2013, underscoring her deep commitment to elder care and advocacy.

Jennifer is survived by her life partner, Robert Kersey, her beloved children, Hunter McConnell and his fiancé Ashley Stephens of Lutz, Florida, and Logan McConnell, also of Lutz. She embraced her role as a stepmother to Rory Kersey and Emalyn Kersey of Bartow, Florida, and cherished her grandchild, Flint McConnell. Her family foundation was further strengthened by the love and support of her mother, Patricia Ogletree Greer, and father, James Dennis Greer. Jennifer’s bond with her sisters, Michele Bell-Peppers and her husband Douglas, and Kerri Greer, was a source of joy throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, J.W. "Buddy" and Evelyn Greer, and her maternal grandparents, Alvin “Buddy” and Mattie Lou Ogletree, who laid the familial foundations for her. She was also preceded in death by her uncles Ronnie Dillard and Roger Greer and her cousin Beverly Carter, whose memories she held dear.

Jennifer McConnell dedicated her life to caring for others bringing calm, compassion, and extraordinary skill to patients and families during their most difficult moments. Known for her steady presence under pressure and her unwavering commitment to excellence, she touched countless lives both at the bedside and beyond. As a nursing educator, she inspired and mentored future generations of nurses, sharing not only her knowledge and experience, but also the kindness, empathy, and resilience that defined her career. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she healed, comforted, and influenced throughout her years of service as well as the family she so very much loved.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.