Gwen Hortman Conner
Gwen Hortman Conner, 90, of Eufaula, Alabama, died January 26, 2021, at St. Martins in the Pines in Birmingham, Alabama.
A private Funeral Mass was celebrated January 30, 2021 officiated by Father David Shoemaker. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery Addition with Chapman Funeral Home directing.
Gwen was born in Eufaula on February 6, 1930, the daughter of the late Ambrose and Solita Kirven Hortman. She attended Eufaula City Schools until her last three years of high school at St. Joseph's Academy in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. There she was president of her senior class and was awarded the "Ideal Student" trophy. In 1950, she married the late Henry Clinton Conner, Sr. of Eufaula, and they shared 49 years together. As a longtime member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, she devotedly participated by giving her time and talent. She helped organize and put on the church sponsored Mardi Gras, served on the Parish Council, researched and presented the history of the church for its 150th anniversary, cleaned and meticulously ironed altar linens and sang in the choir through age 89. She was most proud of receiving the Christ the King Medal presented by the Bishop in recognition of being a public witness to her faith by outstanding service. Gwen also served the community through her job and in leadership roles on numerous civic committees. She was President of the Eufaula Garden Club and headed the committees for Eufaula's 1976 United States Bicentennial and the City of Eufaula Sesquicentennial celebrations. In 1976 she received the Eufaula Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year Award in recognition of her community service. She later served as Vice President of the Eufaula Heritage Association. She worked for 32 years at First National Bank, the present MidSouth Bank, and retired as Vice President in 2000. There was no project that Gwen could not accomplish from creative Christmas outdoor displays to securing and turning an abandoned train depot into a ballroom for the Sesquicentennial celebration. Often her beloved sister, Solita, was at her side sharing in her creative whims. Her other interests included family history, gardening, sewing and cooking. She enjoyed sharing her childhood memories with several lifelong friends in Eufaula. To many she was affectionately known as "Miss Gwen". Her home and family time were her passion and delight. Thanksgivings were big family gatherings, well-planned with plenty of food and activities to create Eufaula memories for her grandchildren. Most of all Gwen met the challenges of her life with persistent determination and unwavering spiritual strength. Mrs. Conner was preceded in death by her son, John Edward Conner.
Survivors include her children: Katies (David) Arendall, Clint (Georgene) Conner, Jim (Cecilia) Conner, Ann (Doug) Armitage; her daughter-in-law: Lauren Conner; she was "Gran" to 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 533 West Broad St., Eufaula, Alabama.