Amanda Conner

Amanda (Bryte) Conner, 88, went to be with the Lord on July 16, 2014 with her loving family by her side at her home in Bessemer City.

She was born on October 23, 1925, in Gaston County, daughter of Marion and Ada Dellinger. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Roland Conner, her parents and brothers, Marvin, Arthur, Louis, Jess, Clyde, Loy; and sister, Dorus. She is survived by her sisters, Pearl McSwain and Mildred D. Conner; and sister-in-law, Elsie Dellinger.

Amanda was the owner and chairman/general manager of Conner Family Investments, LLC and a member of the Ragan Wesleyan Church in Gastonia, N.C. She was a member and past president of the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society. In 1994 she was honored with the Woman of Woodcraft award. In her earlier years, she was a member of a dance and entertainment troupe that visited and performed for numerous convalescent centers, orthopedic hospitals, nursing facilities and fund raisers.

Amanda spent her life serving as a life coach and mentor to hundreds of individuals over the years. She always said, "God keeps me here because He has a purpose for me." Many called her their "second mom," but most knew her as "grandma." She was an avid supporter of local charities and the homeless.

She is survived by her five beloved children and their spouses, daughters Rebecca Conner Weaver and her husband, Dennis, Kay Conner Franklin; Randy Franklin, Linda Conner Bess and husband Tim; sons, Tony Conner and wife, Geraldine and Jessie Conner and wife, Phyllis; precious grandchildren, Jeff Conner and wife, Darlene, Paula Bess Calhoun and husband, Richard, Kim Franklin Stines and husband, Jamie, Debie Conner Lee and husband, Tim, Scott Owensby Weaver and wife, Sherry, David Bess and his wife, Allison, and Forest Conner; cherished great- grandchildren, Bailey and Jayden Tate, Conner and Sawyer Calhoun, Abby Conner, Nicholas, Christopher, Anthony and Rocco Falcon and many special nieces and nephews that held a special place in her heart.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2014 at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home in Bessemer City.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home with the Reverend Dick Whitener officiating.

Interment will follow at Westview Gardens.

Pallbearers will be David Bess, Scott Owensby, Richard Calhoun, Tim Conner, Lester Conner and Mark Dellinger.

The family would like to thank the staff at Catawba Regional Hospice for their care, compassion and prayers during this difficult time. They would also like to thank her loving caregivers, Janet Barker, Linda Bell, Lisa Black Tansil, Teresa Medford and Nichole Weaver.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Catawba Regional Hospice 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.