Alfred Raeburn "Rae" McConnell, Jr.

Rae McConnell

Alfred Raeburn “Rae” McConnell, Jr., 84 passed away peacefully March 12, 2026, the day before his 85th birthday, in the care of Gentiva Hospice at Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany after a recent illness and cancer battle. Born in Tupelo on March 13, 1941, to the late Alfred Raeburn McConnell and Elizabeth Milam McConnell, he was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church.

Rae spent his early elementary school years at the Woods School in Langhorne, PA. It was there, in a residential setting, he received specialized education for his exceptional needs. Returning to Tupelo in the 3rd grade, he graduated from Tupelo High School in 1960. He attended Itawamba Junior College for a short time and later as an aspiring DJ, he attended Keegan’s School of Broadcasting in Memphis, Tennessee, where he received his Radio Operator’s Third Class License. During his DJ years he worked at WTUP and WELO in Tupelo; WBIP in Booneville; and WJAM and WAMA in Alabama. After leaving Alabama and with a love for photography, he returned to Tupelo to work in the camera department at J.C Penney when the Downtown Mall opened. After retiring, he moved to New Albany in 1992 to be close to family. An avid photographer and videographer, he kept his family supplied with pictures, movies and recordings leaving them visuals of lots of fond memories of vacations, holidays and gatherings.

Rae was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Betsey Hamilton (Tom) of New Albany; his nephew, Haywood Hamilton (Lisa) and their children, Ellie and Thomas of Marietta, GA; his nieces, Beth Hamilton of Jackson, MS; Sarah Vogel (Ross) and their son Hamilton, of Mission Hills, KS.

Graveside services celebrating Rae’s life will be 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Glenwood Cemetery, Tupelo with the Rev. Dr. Chris Carter officiating. Pegues Funeral Directors will oversee arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at PeugesFuneralHome.com.