Obituaries

Constance “Connie” Laura Shields, 80, of Alexandria, KY, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 27, 1945, to the late Robert and Rose (Isaacs) Jeffers.

Connie proudly served on the Board of the Campbell County Band of Pride, where she held the positions of President and Vice President. She was also the founder and original owner of Kinder Academy Child Development Center, where she treated every child as if they were her own, providing them with love, care, and compassion. Connie loved being at Kinder Academy and working alongside her family. Her greatest pride and joy, however, was her grandchildren, whom she cherished dearly. She also had a special place in her heart for her beloved pup, Bubby, whose unconditional love brought her great joy.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband, James Shields Jr.; daughters, Melinda Shields and Gwendolyn Shields (& Kevin Valentine); and brother, Dan Jeffers.

She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda (David) Shepard; grandchildren, Kristen (Ian) Hehman, Coy (Krista) Shepard, Laura (Jake) Lester, and Natalie (Paul) Wilson; great-grandchildren, Ryland, Casen, Ronin, and Jensen; and brothers, Bill (Janet) Jeffers and Don (Brigitte) Jeffers.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Cooper Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday September 1, 2026, at Main Street Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Fort Thomas, KY.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or The Barracks Project, P.O. Box 76073, Highland Heights, KY 41076.