Obituary: Constance Jo Frazier

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7/4/1949 – 10/29/2026
Abilene

Constance Jo Frazier was born July 4th, 1949, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Ava and Albert Asbury. She had one brother, Michael Lee Asbury, who died at birth in 1950. She was later adopted by William Baker when he married her mother, Ava, and she grew up in Independence, MO.

She was baptized on April 12, 1959 at Bethel Baptist Church, along with her mother; a special memory she recalled often.

Connie’s childhood was filled with many pets, and she always had a special affection for dogs. She had a neighborhood full of friends, and the opportunity to travel extensively with her parents. Weekend trips to Mexico or Colorado were common, and special trips and vacations included time in the Middle East, Europe, and Hawaii.

In the early 1970’s, during her first marriage to Rick Keller, Connie took her toddler daughter, Catherin, and got on a plane to move with the navy to Japan, where Rick was stationed. She enjoyed her time in the far East and made friends. Her second daughter, Elizabeth, was born during this time.

When she returned to the United States, she worked first as a bank teller in Kansas City, and then moved to Lawrence, where she worked for the city as a dispatcher.

Connie married the love of her life, Roy Frazier, on September 19th, 1981, and they enjoyed 28 years together before he preceded her in death on October 2nd, 2009.

Her years with Roy included her favorite trip: touring Europe with her parents. They were kind enough to bring back Swiss chocolates as condolences for the kids who did not get to join them!

Roy and Connie adopted three of their grandchildren, Katie, Donald, and Ava. Some of Connie’s cherished memories were the days of each of their baptisms, which she recorded in her Bible. They continued to live with Connie after Roy’s death, until the death of Connie’s mom, Ava Baker, in September of 2016, when Connie moved to Independence, Missouri to care for her dad.

In July of 2018, after the death of her father, William Baker, Connie’s physical and mental health began to deteriorate rapidly. She moved to Salina to be closer to her daughters. Then in May of 2019, Connie had her first significant stroke. She spent weeks in the hospital and rehab, and was no longer able to live independently. Two months later, she broke a hip and needed a longer hospitalization. For the next five years she was cared for by her daughter, Cat, and Cat’s family in their home.

In February of 2024, Connie’s medical care and needs exceeded what was able to be provided at home, and she moved to Village Manor, a nursing home in Abilene, where she remained until her death.

She is survived by her 2 daughters, 3 adopted children, 3 stepchildren, more than 20 grandchildren, and more than a dozen great grandchildren, with many more to come!

Note: The Lawrence Times is offering Lawrence and Douglas County community members space to publish remembrances of loved ones who lived in this community, free of charge. These pieces are submitted by family and friends of the deceased and not written by our staff. Photos are also provided to the publication, and some may have been altered prior to submission. Read more obituaries here.

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