8/20/1937-8/25/2025

Connie Jean Wilkins Thomas Colley was born in Cooter, Missouri on August 20, 1937 to Verna and Ernest Everett Wilkins. She died in Grass Valley, California, after an extended period of health decline, on August 25, 2025, at the age of 88.

Connie spent her childhood years in the Missouri boot-heel, growing up in a large, extended family and close-knit community. Both of her parents died during her childhood years, and following the death of their mother, Connie and her older sister Elizabeth, twin sister Bonnie, and younger sister Adleen, were raised by their aunts, Myrtle and Tommie Evans. Their home was a gathering place, with aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors moving in and out of each other’s lives, homes, and work in the true spirit of community in a small town.

Following graduation from Cooter High School in 1955, Connie married her high school sweetheart, Jerrell Thomas, and they set off for new adventures. Jerrell was a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, so they began their married life in Atlanta, Georgia. Following his graduation, they made their home in Huntsville, Alabama, where they raised their children, Cindy, Beverly, and Tim. They were active in the community and their church, Jackson Way Baptist (formerly Second Baptist), where Connie sang in the choir and developed her circle of many friends.

As her children grew, Connie returned to the work force and pursued higher education, earning her Associates Degree in Nursing from John C. Calhoun Junior College in 1972. When her children were grown, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Francis College. As an RN, her career was varied and fulfilling, as she worked in mental health, primary care, acute care, home infusion therapy, and hospice nursing, always competently caring for her patients with compassion and humor.

In mid-life, Connie experienced many changes, including a move to California, a divorce and remarriage, and grandchildren. In 1983, she married Clarence Colley, who was her devoted husband for just over 42 years. Throughout their years of marriage, they lived in California, Oregon, Colorado, Florida, and Alabama. With each move, she joined the local Newcomer’s Club and was elected to serve as the group’s president on two occasions. Connie’s grandchildren, Emily and Kyle Wilson, and Lindsay, Kelly, and Courtney Stellman brought great joy to her life, and she loved every minute she spent with them, as babies, children, teens, and adults.

Connie was known as a gregarious extrovert with an infectious laugh. She made friends everywhere she went, and kept up with friends from every location and phase of life, spending many hours catching up with their news and gossip, then passing it on to the next person she spoke to. Her laugh could be heard across a crowded room, drawing people to her for some fun conversation. She celebrated holidays and milestones lavishly, with presents and her presence.

Connie is survived by many who loved her: her husband, Clarence; her children, Cindy (Keith) Wilson, Beverly (Jim) Stellman, and Tim Thomas; her grandchildren, Emily (Chris Prudhomme) Wilson, Kyle (Stephanie) Wilson, Lindsay (Sam) House, Kelly Stellman, and Courtney (Zach) Schmaltz; her great-grandchildren, Jenna and Fox House, Calvin, Simone, Caroline, and Nicolai Wilson, and Annalise Allen. She is also survived by Clarence’s four children: Patty Reinke, Lisa (Sean) Barton, Katie Colley, and Mark (Audrey) Colley, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her many nieces and nephews from the Evans/Wilkins and Thomas families, whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Verna (Evans) and Ernest Everett Wilkins, her aunts, Myrtle and Tommie Evans, her sisters, Elizabeth (Wilkins) Bryant, Bonnie (Wilkins) Crawford, and Adleen (Wilkins) Haynes.

The family is grateful for the care Connie received during her extended period of poor health and end of life from Golden Empire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Foothills Compassionate Care, both of Grass Valley, California. The staff at both were attentive, compassionate, and caring as her health declined and her days drew to an end.

A memorial service/celebration of life is planned for November 15, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Cooter, Missouri, followed by a light luncheon, then internment of her ashes next to her beloved mother at Mitchell No. 8 Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to provide Christmas toys to needy children. Toys will be distributed through the American Legion Auxiliary Unit, her daughter, Bev’s, passion project. They may be brought to the celebration of life or sent to: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 351, 4800 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida, 33905. This is a fitting way to honor a generous gift-giver who celebrated each Christmas with gusto.

Connie will be missed by many, yet her legacy continues through her family and friends who loved her and remember her friendly personality, infectious smile, and joyous laugh.