Amanda Marie Connor

On August 7, 2014, Amanda Marie Simon Connor, made her transition from this world to her heavenly home. She was 91. Amanda was born February 19, 1923, in Demopolis, Alabama. The youngest of four, she lived the typical life of a Black child growing up in the rural Deep South during the Depression. As a teen, however, she managed, with the help of family, to move to Atlanta where she completed high school and attended what is now Clark Atlanta University. She later attended Virginia State University and Norfolk State lniversity. She earned an Associate Degree in Educational Secretarial Science from Tidewater Community College. Lured by the promise of employment, she came to Portsmouth in 1944, where she soon met and married Willie Connor Sr., becoming a loving step-mother to his two daughters. From their union was born two daughters and a son. Willie and Amanda enjoyed a comfortable life together for nearly fifty years. In 1992, Willie passed away. An efficient and effective organizer, Amanda worked for Portsmouth Public Schools for over thirty years, serving throughout the system as librarian, administrative assistant and guidance clerk. She used her employment as an opportunity to mentor to the youth, often being a liaison between them and the school administration or between them and their peers. Amanda received several accolades for her work including Educational Secretary of the Year in 1989. Tenacious by nature, she was a community activist who was always addressing city council, volunteering with the Juvenile Courts and area hospitals, and fighting for equality in the Black community. Using her gift for saying "what needed to be said", she was instrumental in getting curbing and guttering in her North Truxton neighborhood at a time when city ollicials confirmed that funds were not available. At the time of her passing, she was the oldest person in the neighborhood with the most years of continued residency. Until her age and health became a factor, Amanda was very active in Third Baptist Church, where she became a member in 1948. In the early years, she served as an usher, belonged to several ministries, and worked on committees and projects of every variety. She enjoyed driving the youth to attend Lott Carey, providing them with box lunches and cold drinks, as well as making costumes for church plays, which were major productions at that time. In later years, she was a member of the Trustee Spouses Ministry and the Loyal Workers, holding various offices in these groups. Called "Me-Ma" by her grandchildren, Amanda was her own person. She had style and class, though she never flaunted either. She had courage and strength, though she would never admit it. Applauded as a great cook, an immaculate housekeeper, and avid gardener, a loving mother and grandmother, a helpful neighbor, and a loyal friend, Amanda was dearly loved and admired. She loved to travel whether it was to Canada or California to sightsee and shop, or just down the road to Pungo to pick peaches or pull corn with Mr. Green. Her heart and her home were always open to anyone in need of a soft place to fall, Generous to a fault, she would give you anything she had. Even though her delivery could sting a bit, her advice was solid, and her criticism was honest and helpful. If the truth was not really what you desired, it was best that you not ask Amanda. With her quick wit, she could lift you up, put you down and turn you around all in a sentence or two. Always humorous, if she was in the midst, no gathering was dull. With her silver hair as her trademark, the likes of this vivacious and energetic woman will not soon pass this way again. Left to struggle on without her are her dear friend and companion, Ward Green; her daughters, Maurice Taylor and Brenda Benn (Anthony); her son, Willie Connor, Jr. (Barbara); two sisters, Rachel Miller and Ludie Scott (Demoplis, Alabama); seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Jean Fralin (Dayton, Ohio) and Linda Elliott (Portsmouth), and their children and grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, Willie, she was predeceased by a brother, Nathaniel Simon and a granddaughter, Cylethia Connor.

Amanda Marie Connor

February 19, 1923 - August 7, 2014