Joann "Jann" Veno Connor

Joann "Jann" Veno Connor, 74, of Summerton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Fletcher, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on November 27, 1949, and raised in the Sandridge community, Jann was the second of four children to Oscar Veno Sr. and the late Gertrude Rudd Veno. Close in age, Jann, and her brother Joe, with their striking red hair, were often mistaken for twins.

A graduate of Cross High School, Jann was a proud member of the school’s marching and concert bands. On November 29, 1969, she married Dalton Connor, and together they were blessed with two sons, Hal and Chris, who affectionately called her “JannyPoo.” Dalton lovingly referred to her as “Red.” The couple shared 48 wonderful years of marriage until Dalton’s passing in November 2016. 

Jann was a dedicated member of Sandridge Baptist Church for many years. With a business degree, she worked as an accountant for Frank C. Fetter in Charleston and various other companies. Jann also pursued her passion for beauty as a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant. 

A talented artist and musician, Jann was accomplished in multiple instruments, but the piano was her favorite. She played by ear and shared her love of music with her brother Joe, winning a Farm Bureau talent contest together with a piano and drum duet. Jann was a member of the rock and roll bands, The Rebel Riders and Reflections 72, where she played keyboard, piano, trumpet, and coronet. The bands performed at events all over South Carolina. 

Jann is preceded in death by her husband, Dalton Lynn Connor, her mother, Gertrude Rudd Veno and a brother-in-law Alton Connor. 

She is survived by her sons, Haskell Lynn Connor (Tina) and Christopher Dalton Connor (Tonya Foster); her beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth Pressley (Dooley), Tekoa Youngblood (Caleb Short), Tara Connor, Taylor Connor, Halle Connor, Bryce Connor, who lovingly called her "GrandJann"; her godson, Aidan Davis; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Davanee, and Scarlett; sisters, Judy Boyd (Jimmy) and Jackie Lambert (Wayne); brother, Joe Veno (Shirley); sister in law, Sharon (Jimmy) Peek; brother in law, Charles (Mary) Connor and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sandridge Baptist Church, 4677 Old State Road, Ridgeville, SC, with a service to follow at 3:00 PM. Burial will conclude in the church cemetery. Reverend Owen Hill will officiate the service. 

Jann will be deeply missed, but her family takes comfort in the memories they cherish. Hal reflects on his mother’s love of music, especially her Liberace-like piano playing, and her beautiful artwork, which graces homes across South Carolina. One of her most cherished moments was playing piano alongside Lee Greenwood. Jann and Dalton were also master gardeners, holding licenses from Clemson University, and shared a love of cultivating beautiful flowers and plants. 

Jann also loved cooking big meals for her family, bringing everyone together around the table. Her granddaughter, Tekoa fondly recalls how Jann would always want to cook a huge supper for the grandchildren, and  cherishes the times Jann taught her how to make her delicious onion gravy with rice. 

Athletics were a big part of the family’s life. Jann was an All-State basketball player, and Dalton was an All-State football player. Their sons, Hal and Chris, followed in their footsteps, becoming great athletes in their own right. Jann and Dalton were always there to support their boys at every game and award ceremony.

Jann was deeply committed to helping others. She served as President of the Board at the Hebron Colony in Boone, North Carolina. A women’s rehabilitation center in Vance, SC, was started out of Boone and Jann played a key role in organizing its construction. 

Granddaughter Tara Connor fondly remembers being around 5 or 6 years old when Jann would come to visit. They would share a bed, and Tara would stay up all night talking and laughing with her Grandnoni, begging for one more story before falling asleep. Taylor Connor treasures memories of the three of them painting together in Jann’s art room and collaborating on a children’s book illustration. Elizabeth Skye Presley reminisces about her grandmother’s willingness to paint a natural silhouette of her body, drawing on Jann’s vast artistic experience, including her time painting in Germany. Bryce's favorite memory of his GrandJann is riding around on the golf cart with her and her dogs. Granddaughter Halle will always treasure going to church with her and listening and watching her play the piano and how much she loved it and then going out to lunch with her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hebron Grace, P.O. Box 407, Santee, SC 29142.  

Expressions of sympathy may be submitted online at avingerfh.com.