Connie Lou Callarman McGregor

Connie Lou Callarman McGregor, a loving mother, grandmother, teacher and treasured friend passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025. Her warmth, generosity, and kindness left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Her legacy of love and service will be cherished forever.

Connie was born on November 18, 1949 in Rising Star, Texas but was raised primarily in Athens, Texas. After graduating from Athens High School, Connie earned a B.A. degree from Stephen F. Austin University and an M.S. in Library Science from East Texas State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Garry, on August 15, 1970, and together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and community.

Connie taught reading and served as a librarian at several schools in Texas while Garry coached football and taught history. They eventually landed in West Texas where she spent most of her career at Gateway Elementary and then worked with Garry at Frank Phillips College in Borger. Eventually, she moved closer to home to care for her mother and be nearer to her granddaughters, who were the joy of her life. Connie retired from her teaching career at Terrell ISD in 2007.  Connie always looked after her family becoming a caregiver for her mother, Martha, and husband during long-term illnesses. 

A devoted Christian, Connie grew up attending Robbins Road Church of Christ in Athens. After moving to Borger, she taught Sunday school at Gardner Street Church of Christ for over a decade, and she continued teaching at Kaufman Church of Christ after moving back home. In addition, she was a regular volunteer at The Center Food Pantry in Kaufman.

Connie’s hobbies included cross-stitching, quilting, camping, and taking her granddaughters to art museums. She was also an amazing cook. Her specialties included chicken fried steak, chocolate chip cookies and once a year, a red velvet cake for her children’s birthday. If you ever tasted her cooking at a birthday party, special event or church potluck, you knew it was baked with love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Garry McGregor; her parents, James and Martha Callarman, and her sister, Sherry Ann Smith. Those left to cherish her memory include her son James McGregor and fiancé Kelly; daughter Susan Goodman and husband Tommy; granddaughters Jordan Sawka and husband Ty, Katie McGregor and Tommi Ann Goodman and husband Derek; brothers Max Callarman and wife Kim, and Ken Callarman and wife Lou Ellen; brothers-in-law Mark Smith, Larry McGregor and wife Barbara; sister-in-laws Anita Dixon and Amy Gibbs and husband Chris. Her extended family includes a passel of nieces, nephews, and cousins along with a host of other family members and a church full of friends.

If you knew Connie, you knew that she did not like attention and would not want anyone to make a big deal out of her.  She was quietly generous of her time and money, and her spirit lives on through the lives she touched and the love she shared. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to The Center food pantry in Kaufman, TX.