Mary Alice Conner

Mrs. Mary Alice (Holden) Conner of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Thursday, July 4, 2019, at the age of 95. She was born June 30, 1924, in Newport, the daughter of Robert Gray and Lelia (Tims) Holden. Miss Mary Alice Holden married Mr. John L. Conner on November 22, 1947, and together they made their home in Newport. Over the last 71 years they have been active community members, raised their three children and enjoyed watching their family grow. Mrs. Conner was the granddaughter of a pioneer Jackson County family. She enjoyed gardening and making her yard and home a welcoming place for family and friends. Mrs. Conner centered each and every day as a young wife and mother around caring first for her husband, John L. Conner, Sr., and her children. Mrs. Conner was active in her community, she was a charter member of the Newport Garden Club, and a member of the Sisterhood of PEO, Chapter R. She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge. Mrs. Conner was a devoted lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Newport, where she taught Sunday School for over fifty years. Mrs. Conner devoted her life to the Lord and to her family. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, grace, beauty and her devotion to both her church and her family. Mrs. Conner was preceded in death by one son, Robert "Bob" Holden Conner on November 24, 1985; her father, Robert Gray Holden on September 4, 1974; and her mother, Lelia (Tims) Holden on June 8, 2001. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, John L. Conner, Sr., of Newport; one son, John L. Conner, Jr., and wife, Andrea, of Newport; one daughter, Mary Alice "Sissy" Conner Alleger and husband, Rob, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; seven grandchildren, John L. Conner, III, Michele Sutherland, Jeanne Conner, Mary Alice Conner, Richard Windsor Humphrey, Robert Conner Humphrey, and Alice Hefner; and nine great-grandchildren, Grace Conner, Caroline Conner, Sophie Sutherland, Chloe Sutherland, Alexander Galindo, Louis Noto, Harrison Noto, Robert Humphrey, and Holden Humphrey. The family would like to extend their most sincere appreciation to her caregivers, Ruth Brown, Bessie Western, Virginia Burns, Cindy Ramirez, and Cindy Ray for their loving care over the last several years. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Sunday, July 7, 2019, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Monday, at Newport First Baptist Church. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are John L. Conner, III, Conner Humphrey, Win Humphrey, Alexander Galindo, Marshall Stewart, Charles "Bobby" Holden, Brouce Holden, and Thurman Walker. Honorary pallbearers are Shelley Evins, Carrol Huskey, Max Felts, and Jim Reid Holden. To leave a message of condolence, light a memorial candle, or sign the guest register, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.