Constance Sue "Connie" Shotwell

Constance (Connie) Sue Kallaras Shotwell, 95, went to be with the Lord on October 16, 2025.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindi Stroman and husband Brent of Waco, TX; two grandchildren; Stephanie Depauw and husband Nicolas of Boston, MA and Kyle Stroman and wife Emily of Austin, TX; and two great-grandchildren, Izzy Stroman and Mac Stroman, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Connie was born in Fayette, Missouri to Emanuel and Julia Ann (Shepherd) Kallaras on November 15, 1929. She married a wonderful man, Donald Miller Shotwell, on April 2, 1949 at Olivet Baptist Church in Kansas.

Widowed at a young age, she worked hard to support herself. Her jobs included Assistant to her nephew, Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Bocell, Jr. (Ret.); Administrative Secretary for the Kiwanis Club of Houston; and Secretary for the Federal Public Defender of Houston.

Connie loved spending time with family, and she was loved by them. In her words, "Family was always at the top of her list." She recounted many interesting stories of happy days growing up in Kansas. With a creative flair, she also wrote radio broadcast plays while in high school and would later go on to audition for the "Ted Mack Amateur Hour" on national TV. Clad in matching purple-checkered jackets, the "Kallaras Sisters" made their debut. Connie was also a gifted pianist who could play any song by ear with embellishment, bringing joy to the listener.

Serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through church choir and music was always important in her life. A favorite hymn Oh, I Want to See Him … reads "cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice." She is once again singing with the Kallaras sisters, Katherine and Pauline, along with Betty Lu, her mom and dad, husband, and all the family who have gone before her.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, Missouri. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m.

After the service concludes, interment will take place at the Liberty City Cemetery, and we will process together to the graveside.