Viola Byrd Conklin

Viola Byrd Conklin, 96, of Phenix City, AL went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at her home with her family by her side.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM (EST) on Friday, October 27, 2023 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Darin Atkins officiating. A private interment will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until Noon on Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Conklin was born August 14, 1927 in Pasadena, TX; daughter of the late Bryan Byrd and Emma Lass Byrd. She was a faithful member of the Church of God. Mrs. Conklin loved to work in her yard and also to cook. She loved growing all kinds of flowers with pansies and marigolds being her favorites. She was also a faithful Army wife to her late husband. God blessed us with the most loving and kind Mother; who loved us unconditionally. She was a wonderful Grandmother, as well. We will remember her as “The World’s Best Mom”. Thank you for all the great memories that you helped us to create together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Emma Byrd; her first husband, Melvin Motos and her second husband of 36 years, CW3 (Ret) Robert “Bob” Conklin; a son, Billy Motos, Sr. and a grandson, John Gilliland, Jr.; two brothers, Monroe Byrd and Floyd Byrd; two sisters, Vera Mae Byrd Walden and Shirley Byrd.

Survivors include her two sons, Larry Motos and Kenneth Ingram; three daughters, Shirley Ramey (Robert), Linda Gilliland (Jim), and Doris Cannon (James); Jean Motos (daughter-in-law) one brother, Billy Byrd; 14 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and friends.

Our family would also like to thank Mrs. Diane Chase, for the love and care she showed our mother and Bob in their time of need.