Connie Marie (Ellis) Turner was born on October 12, 1947, to Lonnie and Eleanor Ellis in Orange, Texas. Her early years were spent with her sisters who were her best friends, Linda and Kathy. They loved to dance, swim, and explore the outdoors together.
In her early teens, she was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down; disabled, but not unable. A few years following the accident, Connie was out with friends at Drake’s Car Hop and caught the attention of Homer Turner- who quickly became the love of her life. Less than a year later, the two married and went on to have 3 beautiful daughters: Kimberlie, Rachel, and Rebekah.
The word that encapsulates Connie is fearless. She never turned down a carnival ride, an inner tube adventure on the lake, or even reeling in a 5 pound catfish. She could beat most people in an arm wrestling match, and would get in and out of her chair on her own to play with her daughters on the floor. Connie loved solitary pursuits such as painting, sewing, and driving herself to shop (even in recent months). Ultimately, what fulfilled her the most was cooking and baking for her family. You could find her most Saturday mornings making a feast of flapjacks, bacon and coffee for her grandkids, followed by snuggles and watching Little House on the Prairie. She loved playing games like 10,000 and Shanghai, as well as Bunko with friends and family.
Connie never knew the word “quit”- after surviving 2 major car accidents she went on to become a two time breast cancer champion, giving God all the glory along the way. Her love for Jesus was the tapestry for her life. Connie and Homer were faithful members of First Baptist Deweyville for over 15 years, where they found a church family. In the late 1990’s, she and her daughter Rebekah formed “The Overcomers,” a worship duo that touched countless lives. She then went on to pursue a 15 year long nursing home ministry, singing hymns and praises from pages in her well-loved 3 ring binders.
When we think about Connie, three words that come to mind are steadfast, loving, and faithful. May her life continue to be a blessing for the generations to come.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Homer Turner; their three daughters, Kimberlie Dans (husband Darryl), Rachel Turner-Wilson (husband Vance), and Rebekah Spell (husband Aaron); her sister, Linda Gately; grandchildren, Loren (and Justin), Savanna (and Trey), Sarai (and Skyler), Holly (and Joshua), Micah (and Cameron), Jordan, Luke (and Katherine), Madison, Morgan, and Mackenzi; great-grandchildren, Jaxen, Ariana, Kayce, Parker, Preslee, Piper, Maverick, Oliver, Solomon, and Aubrey; her church family of First Baptist Deweyville, and as well as a host of family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Lonnie and Eleanor; and sister, Kathy.
After a full life, Connie had a brief illness and passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Beaumont, Texas. Connie’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Mid Jefferson Hospital for their compassion, love, and support during the most difficult times in their lives. Their kindness will forever be remembered.
A celebration of Connie’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Deweyville, 644 State Highway 272, Deweyville, Texas. Visitation will be held at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Deweyville. Officiating Connie’s service will be Brother Damon Bickham and Brad Bickham. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Orange, Texas.
Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons and great-grandsons: Micah Spell, Luke Spell, Jaxen Mason, Justin Jagneaux, Skyler Lovelace, and Joshua McKinney. Honorary pallbearers are Jordan Spell, Maverick Huffman, and Oliver Lovelace.
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