Connie Sue Reliford

Connie Sue Reliford, 57, of Ashland, died peacefully Friday evening, at her home following an apparent heart attack.
She was born February 21, 1963, in Ashland, Kentucky, a daughter of the late William “Hank” Highfield and Barbara Sue Damron Highfield. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Joshua Brady Reliford in 2018.
Connie was a 1981 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School and received her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Ashland Community and Technical College.
She began what would become her ministry caring for children. At the age of 18, she began working at Helen Barry’s Child Care, then to the YMCA. For the past 22 years, Connie has been a blessing to the Ashland Independent School System. Currently, she is the Child Care Director for the Ashland Independent Child Care, program Liaison for the South Ashland Family Resource Center, and school clothing liaison for Friends of the Children.
Connie received her Kentucky Director’s Credentials in 2009 and was awarded the Child Caregiver of the Year for Kentucky in 2012.
For decades she was the first person to great you at the ticket booth for all Ashland Blazer High School sporting events.
Connie has been a beloved Lead Child Care Worker for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ashland. Her smiling face and warm hugs greeted many babies for the past 22 years.
In her spare time, she enjoyed her part-time job at Christopher Banks, spending time with her son, Tyler and her many adventures with her many friends.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving son, Tyler Reliford of Lexington, KY; brother, James Highfield of Ashland; her “forever friends”, co-workers at South Ashland Family Resource Center; her family in Dayton and Michigan; and a host of friends whom she made their days brighter.
A private celebration of Connie’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Pastor Stephen Smythers officiating. Due to the ongoing Covid 19 Pandemic, services for Connie will be for her family only. However, the service will be live streamed at firstchristianchurch.org.
In lieu of flowers, contributions should be directed to the Joshua Reliford Memorial Foundation, c/o Harrison Swinney, 1907 Emerson Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40205.
Arrangements for Connie have been entrusted to Steen Funeral Home.
To share a remembrance of Connie or to express a condolence to her family, please visit: www.steenfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.