Obituary for Connie Pearl Shirah Hetherington
Connie Pearl Hetherington, 71, of Milton, passed away on June 23, 2019.
Connie was devout in her faith. She was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church. Connie loved music, particularly gospel music. She taught herself to play the piano as a young child and often played in the church. She loved reading The Word of God and sharing the stories of the trials and triumphs found within the worn covers of her Bible, particularly with her grandchildren. If you ask any of her children or grandchildren they will tell you “Nana is the BEST storyteller and they loved their bedtimes with Nana”.
Connie loved creating things, from exquisite hairstyles during her days as a licensed beautician, as well as every single time one of her girls needed that perfect updo, to the dainty jewelry she made with her beads and braids. Her attention to detail will always be a testament to the joy and peace she found in working with her hands.
Those hands have helped deliver so many children into this world, including her own grandchildren. As an RN Connie found her true calling in helping deliver and care for mother and child. Her hands had a special soothing touch that seemed to be made for rubbing away a child’s physical pain. As her granddaughter has said many times, “Nana is the best knee rubber, ever”
Connie loved the water, whether it was a quiet bubbly spring or the raging edges of the ocean during a storm. She loved the sun on her face, the ambiance of the evening sounds around her home, her sanctuary. She was never happier than when her family was all gathered around a dinner table enjoying a feast that she had prepared.
She was preceded in death by, her parents, Charles L. and Lola Sprinkle Shirah; brothers, Charles Shirah, James Farrell Shirah, and William Gary Shirah; sisters, Thelma Shirah Goodrum and Juanita Shirah Sprinkle.
Connie is survived by: her husband, Steven D. Hetherington; daughter, Jessie (William) Brown; two sons, Mike Jones and Steven (Renee) Hetherington; grandchildren: Desiree and Oshea Statler, Amber and Shane Love, Aubrey and Ryan Hetherington; great-grandchildren: Chloe and Emma Statler, Nikolai (Statler) Beach; sisters, Mary Shirah Limrick, Margie Shirah (Carroll) Delcambre, and Imelda Joyce Shirah Oliver (John) Maciolek; one brother, Kenneth Wayne Shirah; two sisters-in-law, Gail Tillman Shirah and Helen Thomas Shirah; many beloved nieces and nephews; a special sister-in-law, Janice (Hetherington) Gafford; a special brother-in-law, Frankie Hetherington; and a special friend, Wanda Potts.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton, Chapel, 6539 Trammel Drive, Milton, FL 32570.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, June 28, 2019 also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Liberty Baptist Church, 6763 Margaret Street, Milton, Florida 32570.
Connie was devout in her faith. She was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church. Connie loved music, particularly gospel music. She taught herself to play the piano as a young child and often played in the church. She loved reading The Word of God and sharing the stories of the trials and triumphs found within the worn covers of her Bible, particularly with her grandchildren. If you ask any of her children or grandchildren they will tell you “Nana is the BEST storyteller and they loved their bedtimes with Nana”.
Connie loved creating things, from exquisite hairstyles during her days as a licensed beautician, as well as every single time one of her girls needed that perfect updo, to the dainty jewelry she made with her beads and braids. Her attention to detail will always be a testament to the joy and peace she found in working with her hands.
Those hands have helped deliver so many children into this world, including her own grandchildren. As an RN Connie found her true calling in helping deliver and care for mother and child. Her hands had a special soothing touch that seemed to be made for rubbing away a child’s physical pain. As her granddaughter has said many times, “Nana is the best knee rubber, ever”
Connie loved the water, whether it was a quiet bubbly spring or the raging edges of the ocean during a storm. She loved the sun on her face, the ambiance of the evening sounds around her home, her sanctuary. She was never happier than when her family was all gathered around a dinner table enjoying a feast that she had prepared.
She was preceded in death by, her parents, Charles L. and Lola Sprinkle Shirah; brothers, Charles Shirah, James Farrell Shirah, and William Gary Shirah; sisters, Thelma Shirah Goodrum and Juanita Shirah Sprinkle.
Connie is survived by: her husband, Steven D. Hetherington; daughter, Jessie (William) Brown; two sons, Mike Jones and Steven (Renee) Hetherington; grandchildren: Desiree and Oshea Statler, Amber and Shane Love, Aubrey and Ryan Hetherington; great-grandchildren: Chloe and Emma Statler, Nikolai (Statler) Beach; sisters, Mary Shirah Limrick, Margie Shirah (Carroll) Delcambre, and Imelda Joyce Shirah Oliver (John) Maciolek; one brother, Kenneth Wayne Shirah; two sisters-in-law, Gail Tillman Shirah and Helen Thomas Shirah; many beloved nieces and nephews; a special sister-in-law, Janice (Hetherington) Gafford; a special brother-in-law, Frankie Hetherington; and a special friend, Wanda Potts.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton, Chapel, 6539 Trammel Drive, Milton, FL 32570.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, June 28, 2019 also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Liberty Baptist Church, 6763 Margaret Street, Milton, Florida 32570.