Loa Jean Conner, 79, loving mother, grandmother, and friend went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Loa was a faithful charter member of New World United Methodist Church and worshipped there for over 40 years, where she served in a variety of mission capacities. Even in the final weeks, Loa enjoyed her church family and time with Jesus. She loved to sing hymns each day and really enjoyed music in worship. Her favorites were How Great Thou Art, The Old Rugged Cross, Blessed Assurance, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, and Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow.
Loa graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1953. She continued nursing most of her life and was involved in surgical care, education, supervision, and mentoring throughout her career. She retired from Baylor Hospital of Garland after serving as a Registered Nurse and in various supervisory capacities for over 30 years.
Loa was preceded in death by her mother Margaret when she was a child, her grandmother who raised her, and her husband John who lived with her in Garland for 35 years. She is survived by her daughter Cathy and her husband Rev. Dr. Michael Burkett of Mustang, Oklahoma and Joan and her husband Doug Cain of Mansfield, Texas; grandson Matthew Burkett of Mustang, grandson Cody Cain of Mansfield, granddaughter Aubrie Cain of Mansfield; aunt Bernadine Finch of Sparta, Wis; cousin Bob Finch of Arizona; cousin Terry Sprecker of Wisconsin; and a multitude of friends around the world.
If you are reading this, you have already been touched by Loa's overwhelming generosity and helping spirit. Throughout her life, she experienced what it means to give from the heart and really serve others. We most clearly witnessed in her 40 plus years of nursing service, faithful care of her husband for almost 50 years, ongoing encouragement and counseling of her two daughters and son-in-laws, nurture of three grandchildren, and work in the United Methodist Church (most recently at New World).
Loa understood that servanthood is a choice. But because she practiced it and refined this talent for so many decades, caring for others and nurturing from the heart had become second nature. As family and friends look back on our time with her, we are so grateful for Loa's model of Love in action.
We will miss our mother, grandmother, and friend. But we also know that she is probably walking with Jesus in the most beautiful garden that quite simply is beyond imagination. Because Loa was a breast cancer survivor and because she so loved little children, the family asks that friends send memorials to Susan G. Komen or to the Children's Ministry Fund at New World United Methodist Church in Garland, Texas in lieu of flowers.