Rufus Conrad "Connie" Groover

1938 - 2021

Gum Branch – From the home that his father purchased on the day he was born, and surrounded by his family, Connie Groover entered into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Connie lived on this earth 83 years and was the youngest of ten children born to Robert Clanton Groover and Mary Janette Martin Groover. He was a 1956 graduate of Long County High School where he lettered in basketball. He continued his education by attending the North Georgia Vocational School in Clarkesville, Georgia on a basketball scholarship. While there, he met and married the love of his life, Dupree Hill. After graduation, they returned to Gum Branch and raised their three children in a home filled with love for each other and built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Connie was a member of Gum Branch Baptist Church, but also helped plant other churches in and around the Hinesville community. He loved planting Spring and Fall vegetable gardens and splitting firewood, but his true passion was serving the Lord as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He retired as a maintenance supervisor from Coastal Utilities in Hinesville, a job he loved with co-workers who became a second family to him. In addition to his parents, waiting to welcome him into heaven were his sisters Doris Folker and Louise Hodges, his brothers Maurice Groover, Tracy Groover, Talmadge Groover, two brothers and one sister who passed in infancy, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Noah and Emma Hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Dupree Groover, his three children: Deidra Odum (Edward), Michelle Crews (Danny), and Creston Groover (Amy); six grandchildren: DeAnn Anderson (James), Danielle Martin (Jason), Tyler Crews (Leah), Stuart Crews, Caredith Groover, and Marigrace Groover; seven great-grandchildren: Carson, Emma, and Eda Jo Anderson, Dagan and Denton Martin, and Braylee and Asher Crews; his brother, Miles Groover (Carlene) and a host of nieces and nephews.

His service will be held Saturday, March 6 at Gum Branch Baptist Church, 8590 GA Hwy 196, Hinesville, with Rev. Gabe Gill and Rev. Joe Eason officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church Friday, March 5, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. His family would like to extend a special word of thanks to Hospice of South Georgia for the compassionate care he received during his final days at home. Flowers will be accepted, but donations to either Gum Branch Baptist Church or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA, 31545, are also encouraged. Family and friends may sign the online register at [http://www.howardfuneralga.com<http://www.howardfuneralga.com/]www.howardfuneralga.com<http://www.howardfuneralga.com/> Arrangements have been entrusted to Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici, GA.