Connie Ruth Stuart

Connie Ruth Stuart, age 66, of Jonesboro died on February 1, 2017, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center.

Connie was born on June 21, 1950 in Newport, AR, the daughter of John Cecil and Ruth Helen Nelson McGaughey. She graduated Arkansas State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and the University of Arkansas School of Health in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science of Medical Technology.

Connie was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes in 1956. In October 2006, she received the Eli Lilly 50 Year Award for 50 years of insulin therapy and also received the Joslin Diabetes Center Award for 50 courageous years with diabetes.

She loved animals, especially dogs, and was a great supporter of the NEA Humane Society, Northeast Arkansans for Animals, Greene County Animal Farm, and Paragould Animal Welfare Society.

As a registered medical technologist, Connie worked at St. Bernard’s Medical Center for 29 years before retirement. She was an active participant of St. Bernard’s Cardiac Rehab Group and the St. Bernard’s Diabetic Support Group.

Connie was also an active member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Pathfinders Sunday School class, Cookie Committee, Prayer Chain, and Blood Drive volunteer. She saw as her own mission to prepare sugar-free desserts for dinners and bake sales, and she was an annual supporter of the CUMC Country Fair and Auction and the Glorious Giving Market.

She was an avid supporter of the ASU Red Wolves.
Connie is preceded in death by her grandparents, L.D. and Verna McGaughey and Harvey and Agness Nelson; her father, John Cecil McGaughey, and her four special companions, Blackie, Harpo, Libby, and Sunshine.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Kimberly Stuart of Jonesboro; her mother, Ruth McGaughey of Jonesboro; her brother and sister-in-law, John Mark and Beverly McGaughey of Newport; a niece, Amanda Rowe, her husband, Nathan, and children Makayla and Kellan all of Cabot; a nephew, Ryan McGaughey of Fayetteville; one aunt, Jackie Gieptner of Houston, TX; her faithful caregiver and friend, Louise Wilbanks; her two dogs, Brinkley and Buttons Ann Bows; extended family and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 10:00, at Cornerstone United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 officiated by Revs. Chris Hemund and Thompson Murray.

Honorary pallbearers are Thomas McFarland, Tommy Russell, Ryan McGaughey, Nathan Rowe, and the Pathfinder’s Sunday School class.
Memorials may be made to Cornerstone United Methodist Church, NEA Humane Society, or The Greene County Animal Farm.