Lennie Conner

Mrs. Lennie Mae Connor's Guardian Angel came and escorted her to her heavenly home at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2106 from her residence. She was born in Jackson, TN on September 26, 1919 to the late Seth and Annie Adams Venable. Her family moved to Paducah in 1933 when her father was transferred to IC Railroad Shops. She attended Augusta Tilghman High School and graduated from Draughon's Business College. On July 26, 1936, she married James M. "Jimmy" Connor.

She was employed as payroll clerk and bookkeeper at Claussner Hosiery Mill, and after the Mill closed she was assistant manager of the first Holiday Inn in Paducah. In 1961 Mrs. Connor and her husband moved from Paducah to become owners and managers of Dairy Queen in Georgetown, KY. After selling their Dairy Queen in 1964 they moved to South Fulton, Tennessee where they became owners and managers of a variety store, Hobby House. Upon closing this business in 1974, they returned to Paducah to manage Red Heifer Restaurant. Mrs. Connor was Vice President and House Manager of Paducah Woman's Club.

Lennie was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker who always had time for her children and extended family. She was known for her creative and humorist storytelling of family events and entertained family and friends at all family gatherings and activities. She kept decades of family history in her memory and was always delighted to share that knowledge with family and friends. Her family will have lasting memories of a loving, witty, passionate person never too busy to listen, to guide them through difficult times, inspire them to do their best and always rejoice with them in their accomplishments.

Mrs. Connor will be missed as a community leader through her active role in the Paducah Woman's Club and community service through the ministry of her church. She had a love for God's word and was devoted to teaching Adults in Sunday School, serving as a youth leader and participating in mission work through the Woman's Missionary Union. Over the years, she attended several churches including West End Baptist and First Baptist Paducah where she is a current member, as well as Georgetown Baptist in Georgetown, Ky. and First Baptist in Fulton, Ky.

Lennie was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 49 years, son James M. "Sonny" Connor, Jr., brother Brian D. Venable (wife Penny), sister Ruby Copeland (husband Eugene), and sister-in-law Opal Shelton (husband Edwin).

She is survived by her daughter Janice Connor of Paducah; daughter-in-law Betty Connor of Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren, Tracy Lynn Miles (husband John) of Louisville, KY, John Connor (wife Teresa) of Trinity, FL, Mark Connor (wife Kim) and Dawn Connor of Eau Claire, WI; great grandchildren Kolton Zirngible of Eau Claire, and Anthony, Caitlin and Cody Connor all of Trinity, FL; nephews, William H. Copeland (wife Dorothy), Robert L. Copeland (wife Sandy) of Clinton, MS; nieces, Doris Schlafke (husband Don) of Tulsa, OK, Suzanne Armour of Alexandria, TN and Linda Foree (husband Charles) of Lexington, KY.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Tommy Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the River City Mission, 1466 Bechtold Rd., Paducah, KY 42003 or to the Community Kitchen, P.O. Box 1252, Paducah, KY 42002.