Connie Gantt

Connie Lee McElveen Gantt, age 88, passed away peacefully into heaven to be reunited with her beloved husband, The Reverend Doctor James Richard “Dick” Gantt.

Born on January 10th, 1938, in Atlanta, Connie was the only daughter of Mac and Gladys McElveen. She grew up in Atlanta and was a lifelong woman of faith, attending Redeemer Lutheran Church during her childhood years. Connie graduated from Brown High School before attending Lenoir-Rhyne College in North Carolina.

While attending college, Connie met the love of her life, James Richard Gantt, after catching his eye from the football stadium stands. The two married in 1958 and began a devoted partnership in ministry and family life that would span many decades.

During the early years of their marriage, Dick attended The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, preparing for a life of service for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Throughout Dick’s ministry, Connie stood alongside him as their family lived and served congregations in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. Together they raised three daughters and built a home centered on faith, love, hospitality, and friendship.

Connie was known for her strong Southern spirit and her connection to family and friends throughout her life. She especially enjoyed bridge, Mahjong, Red Hatters group, and “doing lunch” with her girlfriends. She shared many years of friendship, conversation, and fellowship with those around her, and most memorable for her was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Celeste Bauer (Paul), Kellie Racine (Rick), and Allison Hagan (Jay); six grandchildren, Ashlynne Gartner (Josh), Conleigh Bauer, Gantt Bauer, Rilee Maley (Andrew), John Hagan (Meg), and Terris Hagan; and five great-grandchildren, Evelynne and Emorie Gartner, Brooks Maley, and Campbell and Callie Hagan.

In addition to husband, Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Mac and Gladys McElveen.

A service celebrating Connie’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

The family will receive friends at the church following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, GA 30040, or the ELCA Southeastern Synod Mission Development Fund.