Vikki Beth (Gragg) Connor

Vikki Beth Connor, 75, transitioned from this earth on November 2, 2024 in Athens, Texas, to her Heavenly home. She was born on April 13, 1949 in Dallas, Texas to parents Euell and Theda (Blasingame) Gragg. Vikki was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, cherished friend and adored educator. She excelled academically from grade school, graduating from South Garland High School in the Top 10% of her class and was awarded the Future Teachers of America Scholarship. However, her dream of teaching was postponed for 20 years as she raised her children and owned her own beauty shop. In her late 30s, Vikki was finally able to pursue her teaching dream after experiencing chemical allergies from beauty products. She was awarded the Louisiana State Governor's Education Scholarship (2 years) at North Louisiana State University. She then transferred to East Texas State University (Commerce, Texas) with a full scholarship where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Guidance and Counseling. Her educational journey didn't stop there, as she also earned her Principal's Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington. Vikki's love for learning and education guided her through a successful career as a dedicated teacher and counselor within the Garland and Richardson Independent School Districts. From 1991 to 2003, she poured her heart into nurturing and shaping countless students with her relentless pursuit of excellence. Vikki culminated her passion by serving as the principal of Palmer Independent School District from 2003 to 2012. Education was not just a career for Vikki, it was her lifelong dream. One of her proudest accomplishments was realized when she became a teacher, and ultimately a principal, guiding her students with grace, patience and understanding. She will be remembered as a loving presence in the lives of her family and a guiding light in the lives of her students. Vikki had a gift for bringing joy to everyone who crossed her path. Her personality radiated warmth and kindness, and she sought to find the bright side even in the darkest moments. Outside of her professional life, Vikki was passionate about gardening, homesteading and the personal satisfaction of growing and preserving her bounty harvests. She also loved to use many of the foods she had grown for cooking and baking, preparing many meals from “scratch.” She amassed quite the collection of cookbooks and family “secret” recipes that will be treasured and enjoyed for generations to come. Morning coffee on the front porch was a cherished ritual where she and Bill would make all kinds of plans about all the things they wanted to do, most of which never got done, because she always had another “project” to work on. She was quite the artist and had many outlets for her creative energies, some of which were writing, singing, piano, painting, flipping furniture, decorating, scrapbooking, photography, traveling and created many tangible memories with her family and friends.

Vikki was preceded in death by her father, Euell Gragg; her mother, Theda Richmond; and her brother, Bobby Gragg.

 She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Connor of Tool, Texas; children, Damon Connor and wife Susan of Tool, Texas, Chandra Flanagan and husband Gary of Tool, Texas, and Dustin Connor and wife Rebecca of Tool, Texas; grandchildren, Carson Connor, Destiny Connor and Bryson Connor of Terrell, Texas, Shelby Hall of Waxahachie, Texas, Taylor Keville of Lorena, Texas, Holly Duong of Del Rio, Texas, Ashton Clingan of Sherman, Texas, Colby Flanagan, of El Paso, Texas, Blake Flanagan of Freeman, Missouri, and Heather Lisman of Hawkins, Texas; great-grandchildren, Natalia Parker and Gwendolyn Parker of Tool, Texas, Vicki Hobbs of Sherman, Texas, Koen Flanagan of Freeman, Missouri, Lyla Burch and Harper Burch of Waxahachie, Texas, Brooks Keville of Lorena, Texas, Silver Duong of Del Rio, Texas, Natalie Reed and Chloe Reed of Hawkins, Texas. Vikki leaves behind a legacy of love, excellence and inspiration that will forever resonate in the hearts of those she touched. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.