Lillie Ruth Connatser (Connie) Ewell , age 97, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away peacefully with family by her side on January 8th, 2026. She was born November 25, 1928 in Fountain City, Tennessee to Stewart C. and Lillie Frances (Mize) Connatser. She worked as a Secretary/Executive Secretary for 38 years. Her first employment after graduating from a Business University in Nashville, TN, was as a civilian employee for the US Navy Department, Washington, D.C. for 4¾ years. Her next long-term employment was with the United Church of Christ, Florida HQ, Avon Park, FL for 11½ years and then with the USAF, Avon Park AF Range for 19½ years before retiring in 1993. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Avon Park from 1960 until her death.
Lillie Ruth (Connie) is survived by her grandchildren: Sara K. (Eick) McAllister, Angelique D. Marchant, William R. Autry III, Sasha Autry Durnal, Hunter J. Autry, and 11 Great Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, all seven of her siblings; husbands: Cpl. Raymond Dean McAfee (Korean War, 1951), Thomas W. Ewell; daughters: Rebecca A. (Ewell) Marchant, Janet M. (Ewell) Jones, and Barbara C. (Ewell) Autry.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Avon Park with family receiving friends beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment will take place in a private ceremony at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery (Mausoleum Garden Bldg. #2, Crypt 21, Section PA, Level 4).
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Avon Park, Florida.