Anne Virginia Conckling

Anne Virginia Conkling was born in December 1928 in Illinois to her parents, Albert and Signe Reynolds. She left Illinois to pursue degrees in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Colorado, where she met her life-long partner and future husband, Donald Conkling, a US Navy WWII veteran. After marriage and graduation, they returned to Illinois, where they had their first two sons, and then moved to Idaho, where they had their third son. Later, they moved to Oklahoma, California and Texas following Donald’s career. After her boys went to high school and college, Anne became a police dispatcher, first for the small town of Flower Mound, Texas, then moving to Carrolton, Texas where she worked until retirement. In 1982, Anne was awarded “The Most Outstanding Civilian” Award by the Carrolton Police Department for her achievements as their dispatch training officer. After retirement from the Carrolton PD in 1991, Anne and Donald moved to Waynesville to live on Utah Mountain for their remaining years.

Anne passed peacefully on May 12, 2025, in her Waynesville home of 34 years with her family at her side. Anne is survived by her three sons; Don, a retired veterinarian, Mark, a retired professor, and Steve, a retired paleontologist. Anne was always most proud of her six grandchildren Kai, Elizabeth, Crystal, John, Shante’, and D.J. and her two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Evelyn.

Anne had a grand life; well lived. Her mind was very sharp into her mid-90’s, and she was tough (surviving two back-bone fractures over the last four years) and independent.

She was dearly loved by her family, her friends, and her neighbors and will be dearly missed.

The care of Ms. Conkling has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.