"We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again."

Connie Kay Chestnut Reese was born on June 15, 1948 in Glade. She passed away in her home at the age of 72 on December 20, 2020.

Connie was one of seven children to Roy Vernon Chestnut and Norma Ruth Hoover Chestnut. She attended grade school in Glade and high school in Kirwin. She was preceded in death by one brother, Alan.

On May 22, 1965 she was united in marriage to Thomas Harley Lloyd Reese at the First Christian Church in Phillipsburg. They made their home in Glade and shared four children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas,  daughter Tina Jo and her son Thomas Junior. She was also preceded in death by one grandson, Tavian Joseph.

Connie worked as a C.N.A. at the Phillips County Long Term Care and Phillips County Hospital for 45 years. Upon retiring, she helped out at her sister's restaurant, the Sundowner. Connie loved this because she could visit with the people and spend time with her siblings and their families.

She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Connie touched the lives of many with her caring heart and sharing ways. Her family was the light of her life. She spent much of her free time taking care of the little ones, traveling to their many activities and being the "rock" of her family. Board games were a family tradition where much laughter and love was shared.

Survivors include her daughter Tami Robison and husband Rodney of Manhattan and stepdaughter Tamara McDonald of Oceanside, CA; six grandchildren: Brittni Sills-Berry, Jake and Chloe Robison, Clinton Reese, Camille Smith and Trevor Mendon; six great grandchildren: Cambree, Trevyn and Noah Sills-Berry, Jaron and Korbin Reese, Samirah Smith, and Halle and Xander Mendon; siblings: Larry and Dennis Chestnut, Joyce Campbell, Joan Russo and Terri Greer and one sister-in-law: Patricia Barnes.

A memorial has been established to Phillips County Hospice in c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 563 Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

A celebration of her life will be held in the spring with family and friends.