Vada Conant

Texas resident Vada L. Conant, 87, passed away June 25, 2020, with her love of 62 years by her side in Waxahachie, TX.

Vada was born March 26, 1933, in Berkeley Springs, WV, to Oakley and Lola Michael. The youngest of 5 siblings, Vada developed a strong work ethic early assisting her parents and older siblings on the family farm.

She attended Central Bible College in Springfield, MO where she met Paul F. Conant, the man she would eventually marry, on a student ministry outing at a local nursing home. They were inseparable ever since and Vada and Paul tied the knot on August 30, 1958. They went on to have three beautiful children and spent many years following ministry opportunities until finally landing in Waxahachie, where Paul taught at Southwestern Assembly of God University and Vada pursued her passion for nursing at Baylor Medical Center.

Even though her husband was the minister by title, make no mistake she was a minister in her own right. Once while her husband, Paul, was in seminary school, she assisted him with writing a paper on the Humanity of Christ, earning him an “A+” and the response “you really know your subject”. One of many fond memories, Paul recalls it as the best grade he ever got in the class. She touched many lives through her faithful prayer, kind spirit and understanding of God’s Word.

Vada had a passion for Jesus and people, so it’s no surprise she chose nursing as a life-long career. Originally wanting to pursue Accounting, Vada realized her calling after getting a part-time job at an Akron City Hospital in Ohio. It was noted by many there that she had a natural talent for caring for the sick. She fell in love with nursing and became passionate about helping her patients, praying for them often. After working 65 years in nursing, she spent the last 11 of those years acting as the Nursing Supervisor before retiring from Baylor Medical Center in Ennis, TX.

When she wasn’t helping people in the hospital she spent her time with her family, whom she regarded as her greatest accomplishment. She also volunteered at her church playing piano and singing as well as helping to organize many outreach events.

She also used her talent of sewing to make children’s quilts for the Texas Baptist Home for Children in Waxahachie, TX. She had one condition though. Once a quilt was given to a child, it was theirs to keep. She wanted them to have something constant in their lives, even if it was just a small blanket they could call their own. She considered this an important ministry opportunity and it was her passion.

Vada is remembered by her family and friends for her loving spirit, spunky personality and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. She dedicated her life to the betterment of her family and her community. She is survived by her husband, Paul; children, Jeanette Hayden of Waxahachie, TX, Kevin Conant of Lincoln, NE, and Brenda Ranck of Red Oak, TX, along with their spouses Keith, Linda and David; grandchildren, Natalie, Jennifer, Bethany, Jessica, Julia, Joshua, Timothy, Nathan and Melissa, along with their spouses, John, Johnny and Aaron; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Landon, Judah, Gavin, Josiah, Cheyenne, Jubilee, Savannah, Hezekiah, Jayden and Kayleigh.