Connie Gayle (Neal) Grace was born on February 25, 1955, to Howard and Millie (Pierce) Neal of rural Blackwell. She grew up in the Braman, Oklahoma, and attended Braman Public Schools graduating from high school in 1973. Connie attended school for a year in Wichita, Kansas, to become a phlebotomist. In August 1974, Connie married her high school sweet heart Lonnie Grace of Braman, Oklahoma. They made their home in Blackwell with Connie being employed in Dr. Bob Morgan's office in Blackwell. Connie and Lonnie were blessed with the birth of one son, Toby. The majority of Connie's adult life was spent in the Loveland, Colorado area where she worked part-time in doctor's offices, hospitals, and made a home for Toby and Lonnie, until her complications from diabetes prevented her from working outside the home.

Connie was a gentle, kind soul who left our lives on September 24, 2010. To those of us who knew her well she was an angel on earth. She was peacemaker, with a kind word for all, she never gave up and never complained, with the biggest joy of her life being her two grandchildren. She was a lover of all things living including every animal she came in contact with. She fought the fight all of her life with the help of the love of her life, her soul mate and husband Lonnie.

Connie is survived by her husband, Lonnie Grace of Loveland, Colorado; a son and his wife, Toby and Stephanie Grace of Loveland, Colorado; two grandchildren Brody and Baily Grace of Loveland, Colorado; her mother, Millie Barrows of Claremore, Oklahoma; and a sister, Helen Moore of Claremore, Oklahoma; plus many other family and friends who loved and cared for her.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Howard Neal; a brother, Jimmy Neal; and a sister, Carla Todd.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 30th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Matt Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the Braman Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Lonnie Grace, Toby Grace, Jody Tapp, Darren Grace, James Grace and James Michael Grace.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the American Diabetes Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.