September 3, 1986 - February 4, 2025
Arizona Zeb Connell, 38, died on February 4, 2025, after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family.
Zeb was born on September 3, 1986, in Statesboro, Georgia and from the day he was born he danced to the beat of his own drum. Statesboro was never big enough for Zeb, as he always longed to live in a big city. He moved to Atlanta in 2016 to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur and did that by starting his digital marketing company, SuccesSEO Marketing. Zeb was a dreamer and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He devoured books and articles that would enrich his life especially as it pertains to leadership, success, and entrepreneurship, as he was determined to be the next self-made billionaire. Zeb was a fierce competitor and loved playing chess, poker and pickle ball and was up for a challenge anytime.
Zeb had a magnetic spirit with a huge heart, a beautiful soul and loved his friends and family fiercely. He was passionate about helping others, especially animals and those struggling with homelessness, hunger and addiction. Zeb loved to travel, especially to his favorite city New York City, but his favorite place in the world was his balcony that overlooked the bustling Atlanta skyline, from his Buckhead apartment, that he shared with his girlfriend, Kristi, whom he met and fell in love with in 2021. Zeb and Kristi loved all things Atlanta from walks around Piedmont Park to attending Buckhead Church on Sunday mornings. Zeb’s greatest accomplishment and gift to his family is his daughter Aria, born in 2018 and the spitting image of her daddy.
While Zeb left this world too soon, two years ago, he became an organ donor and has now selflessly given others the gift of life and hope and we know his spirit lives on in them.
Zeb was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arizona and Claudie Bell Connell and Harvil and Myrtle Mayes and an aunt that was like a second mother, Gail Edenfield.
He is survived by his parents, Tommy and Vicki Connell of Statesboro, Georgia, his daughter Aria Zaidee Connell, his sister Carrie Connell of Savannah, Georgia, his brother and sister-in-law Luke and Lacie Connell and his special niece Laken Connell of Chuckey, Tennessee and the love of his life, Kristi Smith of Atlanta, Georgia.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, February 12th from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00pm in the funeral home chapel with Vern Howard officiating.
A private graveside burial will be held at the family cemetery immediately after the funeral service.
Pallbearers will be Chris Kennedy, Christopher Bowen, Vern Howard, Ken Smith, Ron Spencer, Brian Bishop, and Ryan Fitzsimmons.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Stepping Stones of Atlanta Recovery Residence via PayPal at [email protected]
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
