Dorothy Anne Conn was born on April 20, 1931, in Beaumont, Texas, to Dorothy Francis Chapman Stafford and Olander Edward Stafford. The Stafford family later moved to Waxahachie, the hometown of her mother, growing up surrounded by her numerous Chapman cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Dorothy Anne attended Southern Methodist University. In 1951, she married her childhood friend, Carroll Wayne “C.W.” Conn, Jr. C.W. and Dorothy Anne made their life in Beaumont, building and expanding Conn Appliances, and raising their three beloved daughters, Carolyn, Susan, and Elizabeth.
Travel, education, and the arts all played major roles in the lives of Dorothy Anne and C.W. Dorothy Anne was a true artist and creative spirit. She worked in sculpture, printmaking, drawing, painting, and any medium she found interesting. Her great inspiration was at the beach, and her daughters fondly remember her working with plaster in bas relief with shells, sketching driftwood in pen and ink, among many other projects.
When the girls were older, the happy couple really began to travel extensively. Dorothy Anne’s special memories of this time include many trips with their family and friends, visiting numerous countries.
She will also be remembered as gardener, gourmet cook, seamstress/costume designer, bridge player, voracious reader and community theater enthusiast. Dorothy Anne had a great sense of humor, a sharp wit, and was blessed to have a diverse circle of dear and talented close friends.
Her heart's delight and what she considered her greatest achievement was her family. She was a dedicated and supportive wife, and served as the best friend and source of strength for her husband, C.W. Throughout the years, while her husband was pursuing various business interests, Dorothy Anne served as his touchstone and true north, and he readily acknowledged that his many accomplishments would not have been possible without his partner, Dorothy Anne.
She was a loving mother, nurturing and supporting her three girls throughout their lives. For each girl, Dorothy Anne was a source of strength and inspiration, serving as their biggest fan. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and she loved every moment she had watching them grow and encouraging them to experience all that life has to offer.
Dorothy Anne was a member of the Magnolia Garden Club, The Junior League of Beaumont, Lamar Friends of the Arts. Along with other talented ladies, she lovingly needle pointed the altar kneelers at Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a longtime member. She was appointed as a board member to the Texas Commission on the Arts by Governor Ann Richards in 1992, and also served as the president of the board of trustees at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. Dorothy Anne was also appointed to the Kennedy Center for the Arts.
In later years, she was instrumental in starting a program for early stage Alzheimer's/Dementia patients and their caregivers called the Morning Out Club at Trinity United Methodist Church.
The family is most grateful to her most loyal and loving caregivers, Dorothy Achan, Linda Patterson, Doris Martin, and Edna Morris, who are our heroes and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Olander Stafford; and her husband of fifty-three years, Carroll Wayne Conn, Jr.
Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn Fertitta and her husband, Mark; Susan McCurry and her husband, Roger; and Elizabeth Waddill and her husband, Russ; grandchildren, Katy and Michael Fertitta, Steven and Camille Clark, and Thomas and Sarah Waddill.
A gathering of Mrs. Conn’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2012, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, followed by a private family committal.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 3703, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
