Constance "Connie" Litz Wilkie

Constance "Connie" Litz Wilkie, 95, completed her earthly journey on Sunday, January 13, 2019. She was born on November 22, 1923 in Rural Retreat, Virginia. Preceding her in death were her parents, French Solomon Litz and Ruth Inez Myers Litz; a sister, Vivian Litz Hampton, and a brother, Fred James Litz. She has a surviving sister, Joanne Litz Harris.

Connie was employed by the FBI in Washington, DC, where she met and married her late husband of 51 years, Wilmer J. "Bill" Wilkie. She became a US foreign service wife for the State Department serving in Rome, Italy, Tangier, Morocco, and Baguio, the Philippines before retiring to St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2007, Connie moved to Grace Ridge in Morganton, NC, where she enjoyed Bridge and many volunteer activities there and as a faithful member of Calvary Lutheran Church. Cross-stitching was a favorite hobby.

Survivors are daughter, Sharon L. Wilkie Shirlen and husband, David, of Morganton, and son, Gary W Wilkie of Eagan, Minnesota.

Connie adored her grandchildren, Amy K. Shirlen Collins and husband, John, of Winston-Salem, and Andrew M. Shirlen and wife, Vanessa, of Chapel Hill. Her precious great-grandchildren are Jenna Kathryn Collins, Sarah Elaine Collins, Olivia Ann Shirlen and David Vaughn Shirlen.

A service of celebration of Connie’s life will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Morganton on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Lauren Carlson officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the following:

Calvary Lutheran Church: 119 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Grace Ridge Scholarship Fund: 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Burke Hospice: 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.