Theresa Gladys Conner

Mrs. Theresa Gladys Conner (née Frank) of Lake Forest, California passed away Thursday, February 20th, 2025, at the age of 85 from complications of the kidney and heart, surrounded by her husband and children. 

Theresa retired as a G.S.-12 from the U.S. Government after 25 years as a Human Resources Manager for the Southwest region area Commissaries. 

Theresa was the seventh child of Mr. Joseph Frank and Mrs. Gladys Frank, (née Bazile) of Marksville, Louisiana. 

In Theresa’s hometown, she was affectionately known as “Little Gladys” because she was an exact image of her mother, Mrs. Gladys Frank.  

At age 17, Theresa moved from her home in Marksville, Louisiana to El Paso, Texas to attend Loretta Academy, a prominent nun-run all-girls Catholic school where she graduated in June 1959.  Two years before graduation, Theresa met a young military service-member at a community dance center who chased her until she caught him.  Three years later, they were married in her hometown church in Marksville on October 24,1959. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at the Hotel Bentley in Alexandria, Louisiana, on November 9, 2024 with Father Silverino, family and friends. 

During their 65 years of marital bliss, they were blessed with four sons, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

As a devoted military spouse, Theresa supported her family in education, sports, family matters, family vacations, home renovations and religious activities. She also extended her compassion beyond U.S. borders to a Haitian orphanage started by Father Marc Boisvert in Les Caye, Haiti near Port-au-Prince, traveling there often to provide food, clothing, and financial donations to children through sponsorship and monetary gifts. There was no end or beginning to her generosity.  She just did it her way without reciprocity. 

Theresa will always be remembered for her boundless generosity to all in need regardless of the underlying circumstances.  It did not matter to her whether they were family, friends, or complete strangers.  She was always willing to share her blessings with anyone in need.  

There is no end to what she would do for any of her family members, siblings, nieces, nephews, children, and friends. They all knew she was there for them with unwavering strength, support and resources to fix their needs. 

She nurtured everything she touched, from her family and friends to the flowers in her garden. Her dedication to family was unmatched.  In moments of joy, she orchestrated elegant celebrations honoring scholastic achievements, retirements, and making holidays and milestones magical.  In times of family hardships, she was a sturdy beacon of light with an unshakeable foundation of comfort and resilience, laser focused on fixing their problems. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Joseph and Gladys Frank (née Bazile) of Marksville Louisiana, her 2nd son Michael Conner Sr, sisters Mildred Doyle (Alonzo) and Hilda Cooper (J.L.) and four brothers, London Frank (Louise) Eric Frank, Hennon Frank (Josephine) and Marcel Frank (Marie). 

Theresa leaves to mourn her loss her devoted husband of 65 years Israel (Ike) Conner, three faithful sons, Richard Conner (Suzette), Kenneth Conner (Arlene), and Rodney Conner (Sonya), plus 14 grandchildren: Ashley Conner, Michael Conner Jr, Hannah Conner, Mea Conner, Kendel Conner, Alisha Fincham, Kimberly Anderson (Greg), Jennifer Odecon (Nic), Taneesha Conner, Michaela Glover (Charles) Jalen Brown, Johnny Moore, Matthew Kelly, and Lakeesha Thomas.

 The 14 grandchildren presented Ike and Theresa with a total of 17 great-grandchildren: Curtis Jr, Mikayla, Imari, Jordan, Michael- lll, Dakota, Donnell, Joaquin, Johnny IV, Kiara, Kingsten, Lakota, Lashanee, Marley, Reign, Sebastian and Zion.

She also leaves behind to mourn many beloved nieces and a nephew that she grew up with including Mary Nell Lasseigne, Beatrice Fisher, Pamela Frank, Eric Patrick Frank and a lifelong friendship with a special classmate Elizabeth Ravare Jones and her daughter, Pamela Ravare Jones.

Visitation services will be held March 12th from 3pm-6pm PST at Tillman Riverside Mortuary, Inc, in Riverside, California. Her Funeral Mass will be held March 13th at 10am PST at Santiago de Compostela Church in Lake Forest, California, with visitation at 9am PST. Flowers may be sent to Tillman Riverside Mortuary, Inc, 2874 Tenth St, Riverside, CA 92507.

“May she rest in peace and her memories be a blessing to all of us”.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Theresa Gladys Conner, please visit our floral store.