Connie Jo (McKenzie) Neeley, 67, of Westville, Oklahoma, passed away on September 13, 2026, following a brief and intense battle with lung cancer. True to her private nature, Connie faced her illness quietly, sharing her journey with only a select few. Her passing comes as a profound shock to many who loved her, leaving behind a loss that words cannot adequately express.

Born April 29, 1959, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Connie was one of seven children born to Dorothy Jo Hale. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose love was most evident in the way she cared for the people around her.

Connie and her husband, Michiel “Mike” Neeley, shared a love story that spanned more than four decades. When Mike finally found the courage to ask, “When are we going to go on a date?” Connie playfully replied, “When are you going to ask me?” They dated for three years before Mike finally “put a ring on it.” September 14, 2026, marked the 42nd anniversary of Mike and Connie’s wedding. Throughout their marriage, Mike adored Connie, taking great pride in providing for her and spoiling her whenever he could.

Connie devoted much of her working life to Baldor in Westville, where she forged lasting friendships with Anne Little John and Marilyn Pilcher, bonds as strong as family. After departing Baldor, she discovered that retirement held little appeal for her, and she soon returned to work with the Westville School District. There, she found genuine delight in the smiling faces of children she encountered each day. Her generous spirit occasionally led her into trouble when she quietly paid for meals for children with empty lunch accounts. Later, she transitioned to the task of cleaning classrooms during the second shift, a schedule she relished for its peaceful solitude and the opportunity to finish her duties early and lose herself in the pages of a good book.

Connie was an avid reader, with John Grisham novels holding a special place in her heart. She loved spending time near the water, and summer weekends camping at Lake Tenkiller were among her favorite pastimes. But nothing compared to her love of the ocean, whether aboard a cruise ship or relaxing on the sand, listening to the waves crash along the shore. She cherished traveling with family and friends and was often planning the next adventure before the current one had even ended. She found simple pleasures in a good margarita and Mexican food, two favorites that always brought her joy.

Above all, Connie was a caring and devoted mother whose love extended far beyond her immediate family. She always nurtured those closest to her and would do whatever she could to ease their burdens. She was especially close to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, finding immense joy in their stories, pride in the lives they were building, and a deep happiness in the simple moments they shared. The love she gave her family will remain among her most enduring legacies.

Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Jo Hale; siblings Barbara Ann McKenzie, Danny McKenzie, and Carol Stanley; her youngest daughter, Stephanie Smith; and her parents-in-law, Dennis and Deloris Neeley.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Mike Neeley; her daughter, Christie Allen, and husband, Heath; her siblings, Marvin McKenzie and wife Trish, Adam McKenzie and wife Cindy, and Lowell “Junior” McKenzie and wife Kathy; Mike’s siblings, Wade Neeley and his wife, Joyce, and Janet Rhodes; grandchildren Jonathon Atwater, Chase Martin, Chandler Martin, Sky Allen, Catherine “Cady” Atwater Gay and husband William, Jordan Cook and husband Zack, and Brynley Rich; great-grandchildren Adalee Martin, Florence Atwater-Gay, and Dexter Bergen; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

Connie’s life was defined not by the length of time she had, but by the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the memories she left behind. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.