Constance Thomerson Hockaday

Connie was born in Oxford, NC, on January 17, 1953, to the late Junior Frank Thomerson and Pattie Sizemore Thomerson. She was a 1971 graduate of J.F. Webb High School in Oxford before attending Hardbarger’s Business College in Raleigh. Connie married the love of her life, Bruce Oliver Hockaday, Jr, at West Oxford Baptist Church, where they had grown up together, on November 21, 1971.

The Hockadays moved to Cary in 1978, staying in the same house the rest of their lives. Connie worked for CP&L/Progress Energy, now known as Duke Energy, for 33 years before taking an early retirement. After a brief break, she loved working part time in the Town of Cary Finance Department before retiring for good in 2018.

After her first battle with cancer in 1998, Connie vowed to live life to the fullest. She loved “rambling,” taking pictures, going to festivals, and taking multiple trips to the North Carolina State Fair every fall. She loved to travel, especially to the beach and mountains with her family. She was a big sports fan, loved cheering on the UNC Tar Heels, and played and coached softball in her younger years. Connie had never met a stranger and was well-known for her kindness, adventurous spirit, and strong Christian faith.

She was a member of First Baptist Church Cary since 1995. In her last days, she was excited to see Jesus face to face and be reunited with her husband.

Connie was a remarkable wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family deeply and never missed any events in her daughters’ or grandchildren’s lives. She especially took great joy in spoiling and spending quality time with her five grandkids.

Connie was preceded in death by her wonderful husband of 47 years, Bruce, and is survived by her daughters Jodie Hockaday Holbin (Troy) and Haley Jordan Hockaday Hufton (AJ); and grandchildren Aubrie and Ethan Holbin and Raelynn, Ellie, and Oliver Hufton. She is also survived by her brother David Thomerson and sisters Kay Thomerson Weary and Cynthia Thomerson Stainback, plus a large family of nieces, nephews, and many other extended family members. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Danny Thomerson.

Flowers are accepted and memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Cary or online to the American Cancer Society.