Shelvie Conner

PRINCETON – Today we are celebrating the life of Shelvie Ann Bowling Conner, 75, daughter of Carl Campbell Bowling and Mary Francis Bowling and wife of Stuart Conner, Sr. of Princeton, WV. Shelvie was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and aunt extraordinaire. She always put her family first. Her tenacity and deep love for those she cared about drove all of her actions. She was the glue that held the family together and the brains that ran the enterprise. She was invincible. A massive stroke, 2 additional strokes, 3 heart attacks, a broken hip and ribs were mere nuisances along her life's journey. They never slowed her down. She could accomplish more with one arm than most people could with ten. She was the eternal optimist with a pragmatic slant. Professionally, she was the preferred banker for many in this community for 30 years. She was the person people trusted and when she became differently abled after her first stroke, it took 3 people to replace her. She was born in the Memorial Hospital in Princeton, you know, the old one down from the courthouse. She lived most of her young life in Pinoak, WV. She graduated from Matoaka High School in 1960 and moved to the windy city, Chicago Illinois. After 18 months, she and her high school sweetheart and lifetime husband, Stuart Conner, headed back home to WV. The beautiful hills of WV called them home and they lived in southern WV for the rest of their life together. Shelvie and Stuart remained happily married for 57 years after dating for 4 years. Her children watched them grow more deeply attached with each passing year and became familiar with the constant bantering and laughter. Bo, my brother, and I watched my parents, play, pray, laugh and love one another. Their love and devotion made them the richest people in Mercer County. She was the beautiful wife of Stuart Conner, 78 of Princeton, WV, and the devoted and wise mother of two gregarious children, Stuart Conner, Jr. aka "Bo" of Concord, NC and Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr, known as "Sis" of Dahlonega, GA. She always encouraged, coached and supported her childrens' dreams. Today, Stuart Conner, Jr. serves as Director of IT for Bank of America and Teresa Conner-Kerr is Dean, College of Health Sciences & Professions, University of North Georgia. She has three loving grandchildren, Victoria Janisch, 24 of Cheshire, OR, Lauren Kerr, 21 years old of Burlington, NC and Evie Conner, 12 years old of Concord, NC. She was also great grandmother of Josie Janisch, 1 year old. She was close to her brother Gene Bowling, wife Anita of Princeton and special nephew Gregory Bowling of Princeton. A cryptside service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Princeton with Pastor Terry Lambert officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Shelvie Conner

March 31, 1942 - September 10, 2017