Constance Cooper Yoxall died April 20, 2023, in Olathe, Kansas. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 27, 1931, to Ross and Muriel (Hobson) Clarke. Connie married James Richard Yoxall in Topeka, Kansas on April 7, 1952. He predeceased her in death. She is survived by two children, Rick, Liberal, Kansas, and Bonnie, Lenexa, Kansas; two grandchildren, Ashlee, Edmond, Oklahoma, and Logan, Lawrence, Kansas; and three great-grandchildren, Zander, Kaizen, and Azalyah, Edmond, Oklahoma. She was predeceased in death by one son, Douglas.
Connie’s family moved from Kansas City to Chicago, where she attended school before transferring to boarding school (high school) in Virginia. She then attended Washburn University, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and where she met her husband, James. They then moved to Liberal, Kansas, retired in Kerrville, Texas, then moved back to Kansas. A few years after James’ death, Connie’s final move was to the Santa Marta Retirement facility in Olathe, Kansas, where she passed away.
Connie was devout in her faith. She and her husband raised their children in the Episcopal church, where she enjoyed being a lay reader for many years.
Connie had an indomitable spirit, a generous nature, and her energy, enthusiasm, and interest in life were remarkable. She loved her family, literature, getting to know people, travelling domestically and internationally, music and theater, all types of animals, flowers, Panhellenic, public speaking, advertising, fundraising, and sports.
Connie shared her love of books by opening “Page One Bookstore”, selecting books purchased by the library, and was appointed as a delegate to the White House Conference on Library and Information Services.
As Community Concert Board President, Connie played a leadership role in promoting the arts by attending auditions across the country of nationally and internationally renowned musical artists, duets, ensembles, etc., and consequently booking acts to perform under the very successful Community Concert series.
Connie taught swimming and loved playing tennis with her father and others. She spent many enjoyable hours with her cats, dogs, and horses. She thoroughly enjoyed the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, as well as multiple horse events at the Olympics and the annual American Royal in Kansas City.
The Services will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 10:00am at First Presbyterian Church, 1551 N. Western Ave., Liberal, Kansas 67901. Reverend Jeff Mitchell presiding.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie Yoxall’s name to the following:
1) St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Road, Overland Park, KS 66213
2) Great Plains SPCA (Pet Adoption Center/No-Kill Animal Shelter), 5424 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com