Annie R. Coney's Obituary
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MRS. ANN R. CONEY
Mrs. Ann R. Coney, devoted wife and mother, transitioned from this earth at the age of eighty-seven on the 25th of August 2020, while surrounded by her adoring children. Mrs. Coney’s husband, best friend, soul mate, and favorite dance partner, Cleo C. Coney, Sr., transitioned in April of 2016. Mrs. Coney leaves behind to cherish her memory four children: Andrea Coney, Chandra (William) Uhle, Kindra Coney and Cleo C. Coney, Jr.; two grandchildren: Matthew (Achala) Uhle and Robin Uhle; her older sister, Lizzie Walker; her devoted nephew Robert Anderson; her very loved sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Coney was born in Dublin, Georgia to Dempsey Wright, Sr. and Ethel Kinchen Wright. Mrs. Coney was the youngest of the four children born of this union that included her brother Aaron Jackson (Constance) Wright and two sisters Eula Wright (Alfred) Montgomery and Lizzie Wright (Lonester) Walker. When Mrs. Coney was fourteen, her mother passed. Her father married Annie Maude Allen and Mrs. Coney’s much-loved siblings grew by thirteen children: Sisters: Nina Mae Rozier, Elaine Corbett, Sharon (Jerry) Chapman, Cynthia (Jeffery) Jones, Angela Robinson, Sandra (Alphonzo) Crafton and Brothers: Donnie Wright, Andrew (Shirley) Wright, Jerry (Lynn) Wright, Landred (Margie) Wright, Larry (Gwinette) Wright and Predeceased: Dempsey Wright, Jr. and Elizabeth Wright.
Mrs. Coney graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and moved to Florida with the goal to work and save money for college. While working in Florida, Mrs. Coney met Joe Coney who introduced her to his younger brother Cleo Coney. Mrs. Coney says in her autobiography:
“He had the longest lashes I think I had ever seen and the prettiest eyes… I didn’t hear the records being played (on the jukebox) that first night. Only his voice, so soft and melodious. He didn’t always follow the words on the record but kept with the music as he added his special words that were seemingly meant just for me…”
Ann and Cleo were married one month and a day after their first meeting. Mr. Coney had joined the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas. When he returned to a base in Orlando, Florida, Mrs. Coney decided to travel with her husband wherever his career took him, even if it meant putting the rest of her college studies and career dreams temporarily on hold. Those military tours took the family to places such as England, France, Germany, Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico. Mrs. Coney was a dutiful military wife following military expectations and demands. Her responsibilities ranged from serving as hostess to fellow military wives at various events to managing the household and four children while her husband was deployed on numerous 3-6 months assignments. She was separated from her husband for an entire year while he served in the Vietnam War.
“The role of wife and mother and most times of father would keep me busy and my tour of various bases in the States and overseas were exciting and educational for my children and me.”
After Mr. Coney retired in 1970 from a twenty-year military career, Mrs. Coney wrote in her autobiography:
“I had cultivated the children as well as I knew how and now my husband must reckon with the emerging woman …”
Mrs. Coney applied for a position with the local telephone company (at that time GTE) in St. Petersburg, Florida, was accepted and began a career in telecommunications while continuing her studies at Tampa College and Eckerd College. She loved working at GTE and her career continued to grow successfully. Mrs. Coney helped to create and manage the first electronic library for her division during the early days of Information Systems.
Mrs. Coney had an insatiable appetite for learning and was a dedicated and devoted worker in all activities she was involved in. In addition to GTE, Mrs. Coney was very active in other organizations to include one of her favorites, the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). Mrs. Coney was elected and served as President of her Jacaranda Chapter during award years 1985-1986 and 1986-1987. Under her leadership the Jacaranda Chapter was awarded the “Star Award” the highest award that can be earned by any ABWA Chapter. Mrs. Coney was elected Woman of the Year and spoke at ABWA’s National Convention.
Mrs. Coney was also a very active member of her church, Central Christian Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. She taught Sunday school for several generations of children, served on the Board, volunteered to assist with the church’s administrative responsibilities and rarely missed Sunday school and Sunday morning services. She participated and taught various biblical studies and simply loved studying the Bible. A verse favorite of Mrs. Coney’s was: Psalms 118:29 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” Mrs. Coney would also provide a scripture, a prayer and endearing words of encouragement to minister to family or friends facing challenging times.
Mrs. Coney was an avid reader and was a fierce competitor in games especially word games including Scrabble, crossword puzzles and word searches. She loved cooking, gardening and being around her family. Christmas was her absolute favorite holiday. Mrs. Coney always offered a gift, a plate of food, or a special dessert for visiting family and friends to take home. She delivered her special desserts to many friends and associates. Mrs. Coney was famous for her red velvet cake, sweet potato pie and macaroni and cheese casserole.
Mrs. Coney was loved and adored by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Service will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 1 September 2020 at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Please contact the family should you desire to attend the service for additional information related to COVID 19 restrictions.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to:
· The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
o https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/
· The American Cancer Society
o https://donate3.cancer.org/?lang=en
· A Charity of Your Choice
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