Hilda Wactor Conerly, 95, died at the Orchard in Ridgeland after a brief illness.
Wright and Ferguson is in charge of funeral arrangements. A funeral service celebrating her life is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday November 8, 2018 in the chapel at Flowood. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 pm until 6 pm and again on Thursday from 10 am until the service.
The daughter of Sadie and Sam Wactor of Bogue Chitto, Mrs. Conerly moved to Jackson in 1946 following her husband's service in the Navy during World War II. She worked as a bookkeeper for Jackson Paper Company until 1956, then devoted her life to her family and community.
Community and volunteerism were always important to Mrs. Conerly and her close circle of friends. She served as president of the Mississippi Symphony League and on the symphony's Board of Governors. She also chaired Jackson's first Designer Showcase at the Millsaps-Buie House as a fundraiser for the symphony.
During her tenure as symphony league president, she initiated three other major projects for the orchestra - The Jackson Cookbook, "Brown Bag" (noon time) concerts at Smith Park in downtown Jackson and the pops at the reservoir, now known as the Pepsi Pops.
Mrs. Conerly also chaired the Goodwill Antiques Show, which featured dealers from around the nation, and served as president of the Goodwill Auxiliary . She and her husband, Pete, shared an interest in the Order of Kings Daughters and Sons. She served as the state organization's treasurer, then its state president, then treasurer and president of its international, 41,000-member organization.
After her children were grown, she began a second work career, first as office manager at New Stage Theatre in Jackson, then as the director of Volunteer Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She dramatically increased volunteer participation in that program during her 17 years there and was cited as the academic health center's "employee of the year." She retired in 1999 and lived in Jackson until she moved to the Orchard.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Jackson, she was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cecil L. Conerly, Jr.; her sisters, Mavis Reed, Mildred Wactor and Mamie King; her brothers, Samuel L. Wactor and Jack Wactor; and her granddaughter Tiffany Watson.
Survivors include, her daughter, Pam A. Kinsey ( Kit) of Jackson; son, Cecil L. "Chip" Conerly III (Susie) of Guntersville, AL; granddaughters Catherine A. Carter (Jon) of Jackson and Anna C. Sweatman (Matt) of Huntsville, AL; great grandchildren Katie Carter and Owen Carter of Jackson and Allie Sweatman of Huntsville, AL; a number of nieces and nephews and her beloved companion, LilBit.
The family wishes to thank the Arbor staff at the Orchard for their loving care during Mrs. Conerly's residence there and final illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Conerly's name may be made to UMMC Patient Needs Fund through UMMC Volunteer Services or the Int'l Order of Kings Daughters and Sons, P. O. Box 1017, Chautauqua, NY 14722.