John W. Conaway Jr., 81

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — John W. Conaway Jr., 81, of Great Barrington, Mass.,entered eternal rest on February 5, 2020.

Born in Goodwater, Ala., on November 1, 1938, to the late John Wesley Sr. and Mellie Todd Conaway, he attended schools in Goodwater and graduated from J.D. Thompson High School, class of 1957. He worked for the Pipe Shop in Alabama and later relocated to Great Barrington, Mass., where he worked for over 20 years at the former Melvin's Drug Store until it closed. He later worked for the former Bill's Pharmacy for over 20 years until he retired due to health reasons.  He was fondly known as the good man that replaced watch batteries.

John loved going to the casino, bowling and playing the lottery.  He was a trustee for The Macedonia Baptist Church for over 30 years.  

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 47 years, Rev. Mattie Conaway; seven children, Sylvia Keefner (Mike), Anthony and Lorenzo Conaway, Guillermo Burrowes, Dorothy Grooms (Shawn), John Conaway (Tracy) and Jonathan Earl Kelley; his sisters, Mellie Harrison, Katherine Kelley, Juanita Williams (Glenn), Darlene Dennard (George), Elnita Walker and Gwen Thomas (Benjamin); his brothers, Charles Conaway (Virginia) and Edward Conaway; 18 grandchildren, Shawn and Ebony Keefner, Jordan and Xavier Conaway, Anthony Jr., Nathan, Jessica, Lorenzo John, Wesley, James, Hope and Serria Conaway, Shawn and Terell Grooms, Courtney Ratcliff, Charles Williams, and Tristian and Kamiya Gentle; 23 great-grandchildren; and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends; as well as his godchildren Rev. Joallen Forte and Brian Forte.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Christine and Betty; and his brother Elijah.  

Funeral notice: The funeral service for John W. Conaway will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at noon  at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Donations in memory of John may be made to The Macedonia Baptist Church through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.