Hattie Margaret Skopek Connally

HATTIE MARGARET SKOPEK CONNALLY passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2002, in a Houston hospital. A lifelong Texan, she was born in Burleson County on July 29, 1917 and was raised on a farm near Caldwell. She moved to Houston shortly after her marriage to James W. (Shorty) Connally, Sr., of Old Dime Box, Texas. She had a long career in sales, beginning with Lyons Mercantile Store on Washington Avenue. She then proceeded to work for Hill Brothers Wholesale Jewelry (located in the old Houston Chronicle Building), Prague-Kurtz Wholesale Jewelers (located in the Kress Building), Hymie Gordon Jewelers, and Stuckey-Speer Diamond Wholesalers. She was well-known and respected among the jewelry and diamond retailers in Houston and surrounding areas. Grandma Hattie and Grandpa Shorty were devoted to their four grandchildren and gave them wonderful memories. They took the youngsters on many vacations and taught them how to camp and fish (Hattie's favorite pastime). She loved to have the children spend weekends at her home, and at Christmas she lovingly dressed as Santa and dispersed many wonderful gifts to her family. After her husband's death, she retired to Weimar to be near Frances Phillips, her lifelong friend and coworker at Prague Kurtz. She relocated to Columbus, Texas, and resided at Oak Bluff Village Retirement Community for several years. She enjoyed playing dominoes and bingo with her many friends there. Hattie was preceded by her husband, James W. Connally, Sr., her parents Mary (Kucera) and August Skopek, and several siblings. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James and Carol Connally; grandchildren: Gary Connally and spouse Susan; Candace Kay Sacco and spouse Mark; James Carter Connally; Colleen Margaret Kell and spouse Rob; great-grandchildren: Jeffrey Connally, Rachael and Shawn Connally, Austin, Garrett and Ainsley Sacco, Candice Nicole Connally, Cameron and Parker Kell. She is also survived by her sister Gardena Skopek Jaster of Bastrop, sister-in-law Marietta Connally Valentine, and several nieces and nephews. Hattie was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church; a wonderful, loving mother to James; a good friend and a great mother-in-law to Carol. She was a very talented and independent woman, great cook, avid fisherwoman and a friend to many people. She will be deeply missed by all of us. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted by Deacon Don Bradley of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, and is scheduled for 11 am, Saturday, December 21, at Woodlawn Funeral Home. A private interment service will be held at Houston National Cemetery at a later date.