Jo Anita Dierlam Conkling, age 95, a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Williamsburg Senior Community. Jo was born in Houston, Texas, to Lewis and Juanita Dierlam on October 31, 1927. She graduated from Texas State College for Women and became an elementary school teacher. In 1950, she married the love of her life, Richard Conkling. They were married for 59 years. Jo was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, who always managed to find the “silver linings” in life. Some of her wisest advice was “it won’t be seen on a galloping horse.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; daughter, Cheryl, and son-in-law, Glen Martin. Jo is survived by her son, Clay and his wife Kerry; daughter, Katie Hurst and her husband Cooper; daughter, Lea Martin; 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Visitation will take place at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East (11000 Florida Blvd), on Monday, March 27, 2023, beginning at 9:30 am until services at 11, followed by burial at Greenoaks Memorial Park. The family of Jo Conkling wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Pinnacle Hospice and Williamsburg Senior Community, where she never had to cook, clean, or do anything she didn’t want to, her special group of angels, Bridget Poole, Minnie Patrick, Marilyn Leonard, Myra Graham, Kristy Mays, Keisha Warren, and Mona Bates, and special “other daughter”, Donna Guy, for all their exceptional love and care. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
