Doris Ann Conkle

Doris Ann Conkle, Age 83 went to be with our lord on March 9, 2019. Doris was born in Tillman SC to James Henry and Leola Mock.

Doris was the youngest of 12 children, 6 brothers and 5 sisters. Because of her size being so small all of her family nick named her Dot. Doris attended school in Tillman and Ridgeland SC. At the age of 13 after her mothers passing she moved to Long Island NY to live with her older sister Mary. Doris attended school at East Islip Long Island NY.

Doris met the Conkle's at church and was invited to their home for Sunday dinner. As the conversation began around the table, where they found out about her and she them, Grandma Conkle told her about her son who was not at dinner but in the Navy at that time fighting the Korean War. As Doris left that day, Mrs. Conkle gave her her son Clarence's address, and told her to write him.

The letters soon began and Clarence responded. He asked for a picture which he kept above his bunk so he could see her at night. He came home on leave a year later and they met for the first time. Clarence then had to go back. They continued to write and they both knew God had sent them their soulmates. He came home on leave for Christmas in 1952 and asked her to be his wife and she happily said yes. He then returned to the war. On July 27th 1953 the war was declared to be over and he returned stateside in September 1953. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and they were then married on November 24th 1955.

Clarence didn't want to be away from his family because in August of 1956 they had their first baby, a little girl that they named Joy Ann. Clarence and Doris served along side each other as he then joined United States Air Force, thinking he would be home more. In 1960 they were stationed in Tampa Florida when they became the happy parents of their son Kenneth Lee. They were later stationed in Mildenhall England and again welcomed their last child on November 17th 1963 a little girl, Karen Denise. They worked together as a team during the 27 years of Service Life. When he was gone, she made sure everything at home was taken care of and did this job well.

When Clarence retired from the service they moved to Burn Flat, Oklahoma to be closer to their children and now grandchildren, Randy and Joy Eckley, and Benjamin, Matthew, and Patricia Eckley. Ken then blessed them with a granddaughter Jessica, and later two sons Christopher and Cameron. Karen married Randy Greer and blessed them with two granddaughter Brandy and Kristi.

Throughout their life they always put God first in their home and many times discussed going on the mission field. In 1997 Clarence felt Gods calling and he went on a 3 week mission trip too Argentina. In 1998 they both were called by God and in 1999 left the United States for the Netherlands where they worked in the refugee camps. They were gone for 3 years. After returning to the states they realized God still needed them there and they brought their children together and told them God needed them to go back. After spending time seeing everyone for 4 months, Doris and Clarence returned again to the Netherlands. They served another 4 years. After Clarence was arrested for telling others about God and only having 48 hours to leave the country they returned to Oklahoma where Clarence was called to preach at Fairview Baptist Church in Elk City, Oklahoma. They served the next 10 years as pastor and pastors wife, she also counseled young women at planned parenthood and they both volunteered at the Hospital. Upon retirement they moved to Olathe, KS to be closer to two of their children and their grandchildren and now Great Grandchildren, Brandy and Jamie Norris blessed them with Jaylinn Nicole, and Braydn James, and Kristi and Jevyn Janeway have blessed them with Jayten Layne, Jessica and Kyle Simpson blessed them with Taylor and Kane, and most recently Trish and David Rich blessed them with Stephanie Joy. Doris was a shining light to all she met, she never met a stranger and everyone knew her for her smile and her aunoryness and her Joy just in life in general. Doris loved springtime, and loved working in her garden. Her positive attitude, her willingness to always tell others about God, and her smile that was always filled with pure love will be missed the most.

Doris was survived by her loving husband who was holding her hand as she entered heaven, Clarence, her children Randy and Joy Eckley, Ken Conkle, Randy and Karen Greer. Their Grandchildren, Benjamin and Theresa Eckley, Matthew Eckley, Brandy and Jamie Norris, Jessica and Kyle Simpson, Patricia and David Rich, and Kristi and Jevyn Janeway, and Christopher Conkle and Cameron Conkle, Their great grandchildren Taylor, Jaylinn, Kane, Braydn, Jayten, and Stephanie.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and 5 sisters.

The family will receive guests for a visitation from 6:00-8:00pm on Friday March 15, 2019, at Penwell Gabel's Olathe Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, also at Penwell-Gabel, burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Olathe.

For those of you who are unable to attend the service we invite you to join us in our hearts. You will be able to watch the memorial service at www.PenwellGabelOlathe.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.







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