Neppie Lee Conner's Obituary
Neppie Conner died January 22, 2006 in Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
She was born in 1917 to Walter T. Conner and Blanche E. Horne Conner in Fort Worth, Texas, where her father was Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and her mother was a homemaker. She grew up in a family of one brother and four sisters, whom she treasured.
Neppie graduated from TCU with a double major in German and Art. She taught in public school for a short time following her graduation. World War II intervened, and she became an air traffic controller in Albuquerque, N.M. She was courted by both the Air Force and FAA following the war, but decided to follow her passion and love for art. She proceeded to Ames, Iowa, where she received her Master of Fine Arts.
She joined the art faculty at the University of Arkansas in 1946, where she taught painting, drawing and design. She served as Chairman of the Art Department twice during her tenure there, most recently in 1977-1980, and retired from the University in 1984.
Neppie exhibited in many galleries during her career, including Brooks Memorial Art Gallery in Memphis; Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock; Oklahoma Art Center in Oklahoma City; Dallas Museum of Fine Art; City Art Museum in St. Louis; Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City. She presented fifteen one-woman Exhibitions in New York, New Jersey, Missouri and Kansas. Among her many recognitions were awards from the Art Association of New Orleans, Mulvane Art Center and City Art Museum of St. Louis.
She began volunteering with Faith in Action and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter around 1998. She received the Faith in Action?s State Volunteer of the Year award, and continued her work with them until shortly before her death.
Her life was one of accomplishment and excellence, attested by former students around the world who continued to write, call and visit.
She had a curiosity and zest for life that continued until her death. She maintained an active social life, which included weekly attendance at the French Table, and bi-weekly outings with friends.
Although her late years were marred by physical problems, she met life with wit and quiet courage, continuing to touch and inspire many lives.
She is remembered lovingly by her sister, Sarah Doss of Ft. Worth, her brother, John D. Conner, many nieces and nephews, and many friends.
A memorial service will be held on March 25, 2006 at 2:00 PM, in the Fine Art Center Concert Hall at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Memorials may be made to Humane Society of the Ozarks, 413 N. College, Fayetteville and Faith in Action, c/o Washington Regional Foundation, 1125 N. College, Fayetteville. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Visitation Date Time No Visitation N/A Visitation Location Service Date Time March 25, 2006 2:00 PM Service Location Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
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