Connie Lucille Colman

Connie Lucille Colman was born November 14, 1952 in Roanoke, VA to Frank Ward and Maria Utkin Colman. She passed away on July 27, 2021, in Jackson, TN. Connie is survived by her children Andrei and Maria Oliver of Jackson and daughter Velma McIlwain (Ross) of Greenville, SC. In addition, she leaves a brother, Harry Colman (Ann) of Waynesboro, VA, niece and nephew, Nina and Matt Colman of Atlanta, GA, nephew David Brown of Roanoke, VA, cousin, Barbara Colman of Piedmont, SC. She also leaves her first grandchild, Isabella (Izzy) McIlwain of Greenville, SC. In addition to her parents, Connie was preceded in death be a sister, Kitty Brown.
Connie weighed on 2 lbs. and 2 oz. at birth and was in an incubator for five months. She faced physical disabilities and other illnesses head on with a cheerful outlook and confidence she couldn’t be held back. Connie’s mother sometimes said she just wanted to see Connie make it through high school. Connie pushed well beyond that. She graduated from William Fleming High School in Roanoke, VA in 1971 from Radford University in 1978 with a B.S. in Arts Education, and from the University of South Carolina with a Master of Fine Arts in 1988. Connie loved teaching and her students in Union, SC, Jonesville, SC and Jackson, TN, where she has lived and worked for the past eleven years. Connie was an adventurer in traveling and eating. She especially enjoyed her travels to Alaska and Mexico. She loved tasting a variety of foods, especially sea foods. She was proud of her Estonian heritage and researched her grandfather’s family in both Russia and Estonia. Because of her travels, Connie enjoyed teaching English as a Second Language. Faith in God has always played an important part in Connie’s life. She is an active member of The Northside Church and of the West Tennessee Emmaus Community. If you wish to honor Connie, please consider adopting an elementary school class and providing some much-needed school supplies. You can also make a donation to hour local Humane Society or animal shelter. These are two causes close to Connie’s heart.
SERVICES: A memorial service will be held at 4:30 PM Thursday, August 5, 2021, at Northside Church, 2571 N. Highland Ave, Jackson, TN 38305.