She was born Dec. 19, 1956, in Lexington, to Samuel Thompson and Sadie Lee Higgins Thompson. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Gene Thompson, and nephew, Greg Roberts.

Connie was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Natural Bridge Station.

To everyone, she was “Aunt” Connie. Connie enjoyed crocheting, attending NASCAR races, vacationing at the beach, and family was everything to her. Family cookouts, birthday parties, holidays, she never missed one. Often you would find her at the softball field cheering on her great-niece or at Natural Bridge Speedway cheering on her nephew.

Connie was so kind hearted and never met a stranger. Saturday mornings you could find her and Johnny eating breakfast at the Lexington Restaurant and she would be chatting with everyone who walked in the door. She would talk to anyone, and when you were in her company you wanted to stay. Connie was warm, loving, and had the loudest whistle that would get anyone’s attention. She was adored as a wife, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Surviving are her husband of 23 years, Johnny M. Montgomery; two sisters, Dianne T. Ayers (Dennis) of Lexington and Maxine T. Berrey (Frank) of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; nieces/nephews, Sherry Helmick (Kevin), Derrick Ayers (Jessica), Darren Ayers (Kristi Walker), Vincent Thompson (Larry Payne Jr.), Regina Thompson, Stephanie Murphy (Dave), TJ Berrey; great nieces/nephews, Tristan, Samuel and Daylen Ayers, Brenden, Bret and Bradley Gibson, Ashlyn and Logan Long; special friends, Sally Thompson, Lorelei Powell and Catherine Higgins; many, many cousins and her beloved canine, Reba.

A memorial service was conducted at Harrison Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 13, by Pastor Terry Bostic. Burial was private. N-G

See Obituaries, page 5