Connie Thompson passed away peacefully at her home in Pollok on May 11, 2026. She is survived by her husband, Ned Thompson, son, Layne Thompson and his wife, Cathy Thompson, granddaughter, Caitlin Thompson of Montana, and grandson, Will Thompson and his wife, Allie Thompson of Colorado.

         Connie was an accomplished photographer whose photos were selected as the covers of numerous magazines related to the outdoors and ranch life. She won a Library of Congress photography contest entitled “Reading Through the Ages” with a picture of her grandmother reading to her granddaughter. Part of the prize for her photo was a trip to Washington, D.C. where at a luncheon she received an award for the photo from Barbara Bush. Connie was also honored by the Museum of East Texas which put on an exhibition devoted solely to her work in 2018.

        Connie helped run the family cattle ranch in Pollok until late in life. She checked on cattle daily for decades, for many years on horseback and then on an ATV. She took some of her best photos during her ranch duties.

        Connie was an excellent horsewoman and enjoyed sharing her knowledge of horsemanship with members of the Angelina 4-H Horse Club for many years.

        A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, May 17 from 2 PM to 5 PM at Cathy and Layne Thompson’s home. The dress for the event is casual. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter in Lufkin, Texas.

        Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.