Obituaries

James Lowry Connaway

James Lowry Connaway (Jim, Sonny) was born Oct. 1, 1934 in Forrest City, Ark. and died November 28, 2013. He was 79 years old. He was raised by his mother, Elizabeth Harris Connaway, and his grandfather, Albert Harris. His father, Marshall Bush Connaway, was confined to the Veterans Hospital in North Little Rock from 1939 until his death in 1955. His confinement was the result of his injury while serving in the U.S. Marines during World War I. Jim attended public schools in Forrest City and graduated from Forrest City High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and was captain of both the football and basketball teams. He made the All-State team in football and the all district team in basketball. He was inducted into the FCHS athletic hall of fame. Jim accepted a scholarship to play football for the University of Mississippi. His athletic career was cut short due to back problems caused by Osteomyelitis of the Spine. He transferred back home to the University of Arkansas, there he served as head counselor in the freshman dorm, was inducted into Blue Key Honor fraternity and was elected President of the Student Body. Jim's working life was spent mainly in the Health and Life insurance field in Little Rock. In addition to receiving numerous sales and management awards he also served as director of agencies at First Pyramid Life and served on the original board of directors of First Variable Life Insurance Company. After retirement from the insurance industry he moved to Heber Springs. Never one to be idle, he and his wife, Carolyn, spent three years as teaching parents at the Presbyterian home in Monticello working with at-risk girls. They also spent one year working in the Methodist homes throughout the State. Returning to their home in Heber Springs, Jim and Carolyn have served as elders at the First Presbyterian Church. They have been on the board of Haven House where Jim served as spokesperson. Jim was on the board of the Cleburne County Arts Council and acted in several plays at the Gem Theatre (Hollywood never called). He has also been quite active at the Waychoff Senior Center driving the center bus or delivering meals to shut-ins. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and sister, (Betty Jean Daugherty). He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Carolyne Tanner, and her husband, Phil, of Winter Park, Fla.; daughter, Laura Naill, and her husband, John, of Little Rock; step-daughter, Teresa Lewis, and her husband, Brent, of Fort Smith; grandson, Philip Tanner, and Abby of Little Rock; grandson, Erik Tanner, of New York City; and step-granddaughter, Riley Lewis, of Fort Smith; plus nieces and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Baptist Health Heber Springs in honor of the loving personnel that care for all patients. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Heber Springs. www.heberspringsfuneralhome.com.

Published December 1, 2013

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