Farmer, Connie Mack

Rev. Connie Mack Farmer, age 70, died peacefully at Grace Health Care in Abingdon on January 3, 2009, with his family gathered around him. Connie Mack was born on August 23, 1938 in Pulaski, VA, to Rev. Raymond Farmer and his wife Pauline.

He graduated from Hiawassee College, East Tennessee State University and received his Master’s of Divinity degree from Emory University. He served his country in the United States Air Force in Alaska during the Cuban Missile Era.

Connie Mack is survived by Barbara, his loving wife and caregiver of 23 years. He is also survived by his former wife, Lou Ann Farmer of Weber City, Virginia, and their two children, David Farmer (wife Kay) of Blountville, TN, and Susan Edwards (husband Glenn) of Lexington, NC. In addition he is survived by two step-daughters, Diana Largin of Galax, VA, and Mandi Howard (husband David) of Bristol, VA; two grandchildren, Clayton and Sarah Farmer of Blountville, TN; and four step-grandchildren, Scott and Samantha Howard of Bristol, VA, and Jennifer and Michael Largin of Galax, VA.

Before he retired in 2000, Connie Mack served several churches in both the North Georgia and Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. His church affiliation following his retirement was with the Pleasant View United Methodist Church in Abingdon where he served for a time as Minister of Visitation.

He was a very active member of both the United Emmaus and the Highlands Emmaus Communities where he served for many years as a Spiritual Director. Connie Mack’s legacy will be his infectious smile, his quick wit and his deep faith.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, January 6th, from 6:00 until 7:45 p.m. at the Pleasant View United Methodist Church with the funeral following at 8:00 p.m. The Rev. Jim Goddard and the Rev. Aubrey Whitlow will officiate. Interment will be on Wednesday January 7th at 11:00 a.m. in the Serenity Garden Mausoleum located in Forest Hills Memory Garden, Abingdon, VA.

Pall Bearers will be Clayton Farmer, Scott Howard, Dennis Hayes, Jeff Grubb, Tommy Ballard and Terry Lineberry. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Fred Adkins and Guy Warner.

His family is deeply grateful to the entire staff of Grace Health Care in Abingdon for the loving and excellent care Connie Mack received during his 14 month stay there. They are also indebted to Wellmont Hospice for the care given to him during the last three weeks of his life.

Those wishing to do so may make contributions in Connie Mack’s memory to the CADASIL Foundation, 3605 Monument Drive, Round Rock, TX 78681; Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steeles Rd, Bristol, TN 37620; or Pleasant View United Methodist Church, 18416 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA.