Connie Rae Thompson

Connie Rae Milligan was born in Houston, Texas, on October 2, 1941, to the late Andrew Milligan and Ruth Scott Milligan. She was the third of three children born to this union. The family relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1947. Connie attended 112th Street Elementary, Gompers Jr. High, John C. Fremont High School and Southwest College. Connie professed Christ at an early age and united with Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA, and was baptized by the late Rev. F. D. Ferrell, where she actively served in various ministries.

Connie’s childhood developed into womanhood; she met and married the love of her life, Bobby Ray Thompson on August 13, 1960. To this union four children were born, Donna Lynn, Dionne Lestly, Danyel Lauren and Cory Ray. Connie soon after united with Mt. Carmel Holy Assembly Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Albert Abeny. She then united with Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Billy Ray. There she served as a Deaconess when Bobby was ordained as a Deacon. Connie then united with Mt. Herman Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. A.R. Billingley and then Rev. Kenneth A. Hall, Sr. There she was a faithful member, serving on the Senior Usher Board where she served as the Vice President as well as President. She loved marching around and participating in the drills in the Annual Ushers Day Program. Her heart and soul was the Usher Board. Connie also served in the Deaconess Ministry at Mt. Herman.

Connie worked for Aerospace, Los Angeles City College, Compton Unified School District and Parnelli Jones Firestone. She then got her dream job at the Los Angeles County of Internal Service Department, where she was the “Star” employee for the March of Dimes. Connie retired from LACISD after 25 years of service. Her biggest job that she loved dearly was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Everyone knew her as Maw-Maw. In 1989 the family relocated to Moreno Valley, California where she united with Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Riverside, under the leadership of Pastor L.E. Campbell. There she served in various ministries, the Children’s Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, Kitchen Ministry, and Resolution Clerk.

On Friday August 27, 2021, surrounded by her family, Connie answered the call of her Heavenly Father, to come home. “Well done my good and faithful servant.” She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Ruth Milligan, sister Patricia Ann Childs and brother Aaron Calvin Milligan.

Connie leaves to celebrate her life, her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Bobby, four children, daughters Donna, Dionne and Danyel, son Cory, three grandchildren KaNisha La’Shawn and KeShawna La’Shanae (mother Donna); Jabari Malik (mother Dionne); two great-grandchildren, Dae’Jhaun Mykel and Kayden Leeshawn (mother KaNisha); nephew Craig Childs who became her “bonus son” after the death of her sister at an early age; niece Robin Milligan who became very attached to her after the death of her father Aaron Milligan at an early age; Keith Hillard (Donna’s life partner) was her “hey baby”, which they called each other. Sister in-laws Essie of Compton, CA and Rosie of Los Angeles, CA; brother in-laws Henry (Sandy) of Lake Elsinore, CA, Thurman (Elaine) of Inglewood, CA, and Lester (Arlene) of Murietta, CA and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.