Constance, Connie, Mae Thomas (Harpt), was born premature on July 21, 1938, in Menominee, Michigan to Loren Harpt, a U.S. Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and a second generation German immigrant and Loretta Philips Harpt, a kind and gentle soul. Connie was the third of four children. She grew up across the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin. She and her siblings spent their days playing at the farmstead where they lived and helped with the canning of plums, pickles, and tomatoes. She gave her heart to Jesus when she was young. Connie loved the Lord, and He was the most important part of her life. Connie was a graduate of Marinette High School. She aspired to be a missionary, and after graduation she left Wisconsin to attend L.I.F.E (Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism) Bible College in Los Angeles, California. While at Bible College, she was introduced to Larry Lou Thomas, who was also a student in the Biblical Studies/Pastoral Program. Part of their program requirement was to evangelize on Skid Row in downtown L.A., which was widely known for its vulnerable, homeless population. A group of students would go, and Connie would play the accordion, while members of their team would share the Gospel. Larry and Connie started dating, and shortly thereafter, were married on June 20, 1958. After her husbands graduation from Bible College, they served as church planters in different states across the nation. She supported her husband in their church planting efforts in rural communities, where at times they were paid with commodities. Although they pastored a number of churches, they always had a heart for the nations. They later settled in Elizabethtown, KY where they pastored at Good News. They often organized and led short term mission trips to Latin America: such as Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Connie was a devoted pastors wife for 40 years. Most of all, Connie loved being a wife and mother of seven rambunctious children. She was supportive, prayerful, and caring. She diligently taught her children the value of knowing and loving Jesus. She was her childrens biggest cheerleader and often had encouraging words for them. Despite not having a lot of money, she could stretch a dollar and make each one feel so treasured with some small trinkets or special treats. Connie would spend countless hours in the kitchen, much out of necessity to keep her large family fed. At times it was like she could turn water into wine, as she was able to go to a bare fridge and somehow make a delicious meal from nothing. Connie also embraced her childrens spouses and made each feel welcome into the Thomas family. She was blessed to have 25 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Connie was a prayer warrior. If there was a need, concern, or worry, she was the first person we would want to talk to, as we knew firsthand that she would be the one to intercede on our behalf. She practically had a front row seat with God. She always exhibited a sincere desire to be involved in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildrens lives. She would spend hours asking about each one and how they were doing. As a pastors wife, Connie supported the church by fervently praying for revival and for the salvation of those who were lost. She was the churchs bookkeeper, Biblical counselor along with her husband, and she ran the womens ministry for many years. She always led by exampleas she would tell the ladies, Read the red print and do it! On occasion, the womens ministry would bake goodies and take copies of the Ten Commandments to government buildings, schools, and local businesses offering a delicious homemade goodie and a treat for the soul. In May of 1999, Connie suffered the tragic loss of her beloved husband. She would humorously say, Larry took the chickens way out! Connie was not one to live with regrets. She always remembered the 40 years they had together as a blessing from the Lord. After being widowed, she returned to Elizabethtown Community College to acquire anAssociate Degree in teaching. Afterwards, she was a substitute teacher, and she worked at an after-school program where she impacted the lives of children through her passionate teaching, creativity, and her love for her students. Later, she began traveling to Costa Rica where her son and daughter-in-law were serving as missionaries. She offered her gifts to teach ESL to Spanish speaking children in an obscure, marginal community. For seventeen years, Connie traveled and served. When short term teams would arrive, she would work side by side with the cook serving lunches to hungry volunteers, baking her famous cinnamon rolls for the team members, and having a friendly conversation with the interns. Connie was beloved by many people who came to know her, and she was everyones Grandma. In her spare time, Connie loved to fellowship over a good cup-o-coffee, crochet baby blankets for her great grandchildren, garden, take leisurely walks, and work on puzzles. She was known for baking the best cinnamon rolls for her family and others. She would share that as a little girl she would watch her mother make those same rolls. Connie was an avid prayer warrior and a faithful Christ follower. She was joyful, persevering, and she loved serving others. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Cottingham Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio, Connie went home to be with the Lord. She was 85 years old and preceded in death by her parents Loren Harpt and Loretta Philips Harpt, her beloved husband Larry L. Thomas, brother Fred Harpt, brother Mike Harpt, sister Lois Reynolds, and grandson Seth Elfstrom. Connie is survived by her seven children Karen (Matthew) Elfstrom of Maryville, TN, David (Nelle) Thomas of Elizabethtown, KY, Mark (Rosie) Thomas of Newport, KY, Stephen (Georgiana) Thomas of San José, Costa Rica, Larry (Tamara) Thomas, Jr. of Flat Rock, NC; Sharon (Paul) Lane of Louisville, KY, and Rebekah (Daniel) Manis of Union, KY. Additionally, she is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Connies greatest desire was to leave a Godly seed on this earth, which included her family and all those she came in contact with over her lifetime. A graveside service for family-only will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024. Subsequently, Connies Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, 34 Dee Street, Elizabethtown, KY. All are welcome to attend. Condolences may be expressed at www.brownfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following 2 charitable organizations: Hope Academy for Kids, Inc. or Abraham Project. Inc.

Visitation:

Service:

Friday, January 19, 2024 starting at 3:00 PM
New Hope Community Church