Constella “Connie” Wilson, 74 years old, of Atchison, Kansas passed away Friday, August 11, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care.

Funeral service will be Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at the Second Christian Church with Rev. Paul Kelley officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, from 12:00 noon until service time at the church. Interment will be Friday, August 18, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Second Christian Church and may be left with the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral home, with whom the final care has been entrusted. Online condolences and messages to the family may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Connie was born on May 19, 1943 in Atchison, Kansas the daughter of Thomas H. and Anna Mae (Spencer) Winrow. She attended Lincoln Elementary and graduated from Atchison High School in 1961.

She and Benjamin W. “Ben” Wilson, Jr. were united in marriage on August 23, 1962 in Atchison, Kansas. Mr. Wilson preceded her in death on October 23, 2015.

Connie was employed at the Atchison County Courthouse in the County Appraiser’s office for fifteen years and in the pharmacy at Wal-Mart for ten years. She was the first African American female County Commissioner in Atchison.

She was a member of the Second Christian Church, where she served faithfully as an usher, and formerly served as President of the Usher Board. She was also a member of the Atchison Juneteenth Committee. She received the IMAGE Award from the NAACP. Connie enjoyed spending time with her sister in Omaha, shopping, and sewing; she was named “Miss Needle and Thread” in high school. Connie loved her dog Shiloh, whom she affectionately referred to as a brother to her daughters!

Connie leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Veronica A. (Stanton) Parker, Kansas City, KS, Nicola R. Thomas, Atchison, KS, Tanya C. Wilson, Atchison, KS, a sister, Carlette Winrow, Omaha, NE, eight grandchildren, Amber Harris, Stan Parker II, Anisa Stillman, Andre’ Harris, De’Anna Wilson, Benny Parker, Kreana Thomas, Jakiera Thomas, nine great grandchildren, Tyeera Heyward, Keyantroi Heyward, Tavion Heyward, Ca’Mara Stillman, Draya Harris, Rai’Jon Edwards, Cayd Stillman, Joshua Harris, Messiah Harris, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and numerous other family members. She also leaves behind a special friend, Jon Shook, Des Moines, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Anna Mae Winrow.