Ms. Connie Kinsey

Connie Mae Griffin Kinsey, born January 16, 1943, in Parksley “Whitesville”, Virginia, passed peacefully on June 14, 2025, at the age of 82. A 1962 graduate of Mary Nottingham-Smith High School, she was known for her intelligence and writing skills and eloquent verbiage.

She was affectionately known by many names, “Ugg,” “Cootie,” “ComCom,” “Hoss,” and most endearingly, “Momma” and “Aunt Mae,” each name carrying a story of love, closeness, and the many roles she played in the lives of those who cherished her.

Connie was a lifelong member and served faithfully at Adams United Methodist Church as Sunday school superintendent, church secretary, usher, kitchen ministry lead, and a beloved member of the recorded LCCC choir under the direction of her dear cousin, the late Jessie C. Poulson. She was a humble and devoted servant of God, known for her grace and joyful heart.

She worked over 20 years at Holly Farms before continuing her career at Perdue Farms as a USDA inspector. After a brief retirement, Connie returned to the workforce as a diligent employee at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in the environmental department. She was also a proud member of the Order of Eastern Star- Scottish Rite affiliation.

In her prime years, she enjoyed hosting parties with coworkers and dancing the night away at the Onancock Armory and Holiday Inn – respectively known for her tuna platter and crispy brown wingettes. Also, noted amongst family were her salmon and crab cakes and her chicken and dump-lings. Her favorite hymn, “I Surrender All,” was a testament to her surrendered life of faith. Her treasured scripture, Psalm 30:5, echoed her spiritual strength: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Howard Griffin and Margaret “MaPeg” White-Griffin; her

husband, William “Billy” Kinsey, Jr.; her sisters, Chestine “MaTine” Warner, and Margaret “Babysis”

White-Johnson; and her first grandchild, Marquis L. Knox.

Connie will be remembered for her sweet and calm demeanor, her signature dimples and radiant smile, and her quiet resilience. A true matriarch, she leaves behind a legacy of grace, style, strength, and unshakable faith.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Retired Colonel Rodney O. Griffin, Sr. (Cynthia); daughters, Clintonia Kinsey-Fletcher and Conekia Kinsey-Burgess (Leonard); her baby, Craig D. Kinsey (Ka-ren); brother-in-law, Kojo “Ricky” Askia; sister-in-law, Ayanna “ZsaZsa” Askia; along with beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and an extended family of friends, neighbors, and church members who were all touched by her life.

Her journey here may be complete, but her legacy lives on-in every life she touched, every note of the song she loved, and in every whisper of the Word she carried in her heart.

Funeral services for Ms. Connie Kinsey, of Pocomoke, will be conducted Saturday at 1 PM from Adams United Methodist Church, Pastor Victor Drummond, officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Family and friends may call on Friday 4-5 at the funeral home.