Constance Casto

Constance Casto died July 25 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Sweet spirited, beautiful, patient and kind are a few words that can be used to describe Connie. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Connie was born in Clarksburg, W.Va., as Constance Ada Bailey. She married Richard Casto in 1971, and they were able to share 41 wonderful years together before her passing.

Connie obtained an associate's degree at Sullins College in Bristol, Va., a bachelor's degree in physical education at Brenau University in Gainesville and a master's degree in special education at West Virginia University - home of the Mountaineers.

During her 34 years of teaching, Connie also served as a councilwoman for the Dunnellon (Fla.) City Council. She served as president for Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and sang in the church choir.

Since her retirement, Connie moved to St. Marys with her husband. While living in St. Marys she has served on the board of directors for CASA and EarthKeepers and was involved in many other volunteer activities. Connie was loved by all who knew her, and she touched the life of everyone she met in many ways.

She is survived by her husband, Fr. Richard Casto; four daughters, Valerie Spencer of Citrus Springs, Fla., Melissa Casto of Ocala, Fla., Shannon Casto of Ocala, Fla., and Allison Mentzer of Portage, Mich.; stepsons Ric Casto of Longwood, Fla., Steven Casto of Weston,W.Va., David Casto of Milford, Ohio, and Christopher Casto of Bridgeport, W.Va.; one sister, Beverly Chinnis of Richmond, Va.; two brothers, the Rev. Douglass Bailey of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Gary Bailey of Freno, Calif.

A memorial service for Connie was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Connie's name to King of Peace Episcopal Church, 6230 Laurel Island Parkway, Kingsland, GA 31548, or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted St., Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60622-2691.

Inurnment is scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday August 18, 2012 at the Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Dunnellon.