Edith "Edie" Conner

1923 - 2017

EDITH "Edie" CANN CONNER passed away on January 2, 2017. She was born on July 25, 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri to Edith and Frank Cameron Cann. Growing up in St Louis, she graduated from Webster Groves High School and attended Washington University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Her dream was to move to New York, live with a cousin, attend design school and become a dress designer. World War II and a young GI interrupted those plans and she chose a more practical vocation. She graduated from Miss Hickey's Secretarial School and her first job was with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. One of the thrills of the job was meeting artists like Isaac Stern.
That GI, Bill Conner, gave her an engagement ring on Christmas Eve, 1943, and because he was leaving for Officer's Candidate School in North Carolina, they decided to marry on January 3, 1944. He was shipped overseas for three years and while he was gone Edie went to work for the St. Louis Chemical Company. Upon his return, they moved to Conway, Arkansas, as Bill's territory for International Shoe Company was the state of Arkansas.
Edie began her career in Conway as a stay at home mother of four serving multiple terms as PTA president, room mother and den leader for scout troops in the early years. As the children grew up, she was the ever present supporter at all their activities whether it was cheerleading, dance recitals, drill team performances, football, basketball, baseball games or swimming meets. There was not a more devoted, consistent fan. Edie's proudest accomplishment was being a mom and a "Mamaw" to her four grandchildren. She was kind, compassionate, giving and possessed an incredible sense of humor at just the right moment.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school classes, sponsored the youth group with her husband, years before her own children were teens and years after, actively participated in the Women of the Church's projects, taught Bible School every summer and worked with Cradle Care. She also was a founding member of the Conway Civic League and a member of PEO and the Phi Beta Phi Alumni.
She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, J. W. "Bill" Conner, her two brothers, Bill and Bob Cann. She is survived by her children: Carol Ann McAdams (Larry) of Little Rock, Nancy Davis (John), Steve "Bo" Conner (Melanie) and J.W. "Bill" Conner III; her grandchildren: Jeremy Baker (Amy) of Hot Springs, Danielle Burnell (Cody), Clint Conner (Beka) of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Craig Conner (Erin); her great-grandchildren: Baker Burnell, Brecken and Hendrix Baker of Hot Springs, Rowin , Hudson and Ramsey Conner of Ft. Leonard Wood, Ethan, Scotty, Bailey and Corey Conner.
The family is thankful for the staff at Heritage Living Center, Gentiva Hospice and the First Presbyterian visitation team. A celebration of Edie's life will be held on Thursday, January 5 at First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Prince Street, Conway at 1:00 PM. There will be a family reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, lasting tributes can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Prince Street, Conway, AR 72034, Conway Public Schools Foundation, Inc., Endowment or Wampus Cat Lettermen's Club Endowment, P. O. Box 128, Conway, AR 72033.
Online Guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway