Book of Memories for Rev. Harold "H.T." Tilton Conner Sr.

Condolence From Maria Thomas

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:27:04 EDT

You all are in our thoughts and prayers...may the Lord comfort and give you strength. Sending our condolences. Lois J. King(Allen) & Fred L. Allen

Memorial Candle lit by Bernice Higgs-Brown

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:35:09 EDT

Bernice Higgs-Brown

Memorial Candle lit by Gian Garma and family

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:29:35 EDT

Gian Garma and family

Condolence From Gregory Owens

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:49:30 EDT

My condolences go out to the family of Rev Conner,my preacher at FULLER ST. BAPTIST CHURCH in Dresden,TN! I remember him as my preacher and teacher as a young child going to church. He taught me to always do the right thing and leave it in God's hand and everything gonna be alright! It may did not turn out the way I want it to be. It turned out alright in God's hand! I knew it was alright! Thank you Rev. Conner for teaching me about life! I pray we meet again! Gregory Owens (Former resident of Dresden,TN) Kansas City,Missouri

Condolence From Gregory Owens

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:43:50 EDT

My condolences go out to tje family of Rev Conner,my preacher at FULLER ST. BAPTIST CHURCH in Dresden,TN! I remember him as my preacher and teacher as a young child going to church. He taught me to always do the right thing and leave it in God's hand and everything gonna be alright! It may did not turn out right tje way I want it to be. It turned out alright in God's! Then it is alright! Thank you Rev. Conner for teaching me about life! I pray we meet again! Gregory Owens (Former resident of Dresden,TN) Kansas City,MOUTH

Condolence From Francine Giles Madrey

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 10:24:12 EDT

Shortly after I arrived at the University of Tennessee at Martin in fall 1968, I had the distinct privilege of meeting Dean Harold Conner. And when I did, I felt I was home! He had such a calming effect on me; he commanded respect, not by asking or demanding it, but simply because in his presence, respect exuded. His soft voice brought calm, and perhaps it was because he was also a minister of the gospel that I always felt humbled in his presence. He would speak barely above a whisper in a room filled with students, and yet we could all hear him. When he spoke, we listened. Mr. Conner was always welcoming, kind, and supportive. When we, as UTM students, faced challenging situations, he always admonished us to look introspectively, to weigh our options, to count the cost, and to consider the impact of our present actions on our future. With his guidance, we were able to determine the best course for achieving our goals. It was a time of change at UTM, and Dean Conner helped us understand the environment and navigate the avenues that would ultimately lead to the establishment of various organizations, greater engagement of black students in leadership, heightened sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population, and an environment of cooperation and collaboration. It was not perfect, and it was not always easy, but Mr. Conner helped make it possible. Thankfully, he had the benefit of experience, and, as such, he was a man of great reason and wisdom. He was a constant advocate and in his own calm but straightforward way always offered godly counsel. I am deeply saddened by the passing of this great man, with whom I enjoyed a wonderful relationship during my time at UTM and subsequently. As a consummate mentor, he was my confidante and friend. My career in higher education was, no doubt, influenced greatly by Mr. Conner, and much of who and what I am today bears the imprimatur of Dean Harold T. Conner. One of the great honors of my career was the opportunity to return to my alma mater in 1982 and serve for two years in the position he had held at UTM. It goes without saying that no one could "fill his shoes." For the Reverend Harold T. Conner, who now stands in the presence of God to receive his great reward for a life so well lived, we honor his rich legacy. He touched many lives during his walk here and demonstrated the love that we are all called to show toward others. Truly, the world is a far better place because he lived. His voice resonates within our spirits and still speaks to us, and for so many of us, Harold Conner yet lives! Francine Giles Madrey (Class of 1971)

Condolence From marjorie jonesand family

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 18:49:42 EDT

So sorry for your loss praying for the family

Story shared: Reflections

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 23:46:39 EDT

When I arrived at the University of Tennessee at Martin in fall 1968, I was one among a handful of black students there. We quickly identified with and bonded with one another. I suppose it's fair to say that we recognized that our success individually and as a group would depend on our ability to work together cooperatively. We formed friendships and relationships, many of which continue today.

I was not accustomed to seeing black administrators at a predominantly white institution. I suppose I had hoped silently that there would be someone in the administration with whom I could identify or who would hear any concerns I might eventually have. My initial goal was to settle in and to do my best to succeed as a student. I met faculty and administrators, got to know a diverse group of students, settled into my room on the first floor of McCord Hall, A-Unit, and my journey began.

And then one day shortly thereafter – I can't remember when or why – I walked into the office of Dean Harold Conner. Perhaps I had gone to the Dean of Students' office suite to see the dean of women, maybe it was due to some residence hall issue, or it might have simply been that I was curious. Regardless of what took me there, when I met Mr. Conner, I felt I was home! He had such a calming effect on me. He commanded respect, not by asking or demanding it, but simply because in his presence, respect exuded. His soft voice brought calm, and perhaps it was because he was also a minister of the gospel that I always felt humbled (and “on my Ps and Qs”) in his presence. He would speak barely above a whisper in a room filled with students, and yet we could all hear him. When he spoke, we listened.

During some of the periods when black students at UTM issued forth requests and demands for improvements on campus – in social relationships, resources, activities, cultural awareness, race relations, and so on – Mr. Conner always understood our situation and stood with us. In the midst of such circumstances, he always admonished us to weigh our options, to count the cost, to consider the impact of our present actions on our future, our destiny. With his guidance, we were able to look introspectively and ask ourselves what it was that we really wanted and what the best course of action was for achieving our goals. And then, with his blessings, we were off. It was a time of change at UTM, and Dean Conner helped us understand the environment and navigate the avenues that would ultimately lead to the establishment of various organizations, greater engagement of black students in leadership, heightened sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population, and an environment of cooperation and collaboration. It was not perfect, and it was not always easy, but Mr. Conner helped make it possible.

The period of the late 60s and early 70s was a time that was characterized by unrest throughout the country. As students, we were at times rather impetuous and wanted to behave – shall I say – in a more "unbridled" manner. Mr. Conner understood that, but he also had the benefit of experience. He was a man of great reason and wisdom, and he was a constant advocate and supporter. His was the voice of calm and godly counsel. His guidance helped us channel our discontent toward positive action and the greater good.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of this great man, with whom I enjoyed a wonderful relationship during my time at UTM and subsequently. He was a guide, an advocate, a strong supporter, a gentle voice in the wilderness, a confidante, a consummate mentor, and my friend.

Most of my career has been in higher education, primarily in student services. No doubt, the great influence of Mr. Conner helped shape my interest in working with college students, even though I did not realize it at the time. (After all, I was one of those students!) Indeed, it is true that much of who and what I am bears the imprimatur of Dean Harold T. Conner. He made a lasting impact on my life. If fact, one of the great honors of my career was the opportunity to return to my alma mater in 1982 and serve for two years in the position he had held at UTM. It goes without saying that no one could "fill his shoes."

For the Reverend Harold T. Conner, his earthly life has come to a close, and he is now in the presence of God, there to receive the reward that awaits him. He leaves a rich legacy. He touched many lives. He steered many students and other young people in the right direction and prevented many from falling. He loved. He walked faithfully and humbly with God. Truly, the world is a far better place because he lived. Though we can no longer hear his voice audibly, it resonates within our spirits and still speaks to us. Thus, to many of us, Harold Conner yet lives!

Francine Giles Madrey (Class of 1971)

Condolence From Dennis Mathewson

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 21:27:43 EDT

I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Recently I lost my dear mother, and found great comfort in the Holy Bible, like at Isaiah 25 verse 8 - "The Sovereign Lord will swallow up death forever, and wipe away the tears from all faces." Also at Revelation 21 verse 4, we find God's promise to remove both pain and death. I hope these verses will give you a measure of comfort during your time of grief.

Condolence From Everlyn Hill

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 20:26:46 EDT

Sending my most sincere condolences to all of the Family and Friends of H.T. Conner. May his beautiful soul rest in peace. With Love, Everlyn Hill.

Condolence From Susan Meacham

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 01:39:31 EDT

My deepest sympathy to Harold and Joyce, Marshall and Vickie and to all of Rev. Conner's family at this most difficult time. My heart and my prayers are with you all today and in the days ahead.

Condolence From Susan Meacham

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 01:37:16 EDT

My deepest sympathy to Harold and Joyce, Marshall and Vickie and toall of Rev. Conner's family at this most difficult time. My heart and my prayers are with you all today and in the days ahead.

Photo shared: Conner.jpg

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 02:54:55 EDT