Judith Anne Conklin

Judith Anne Conklin, age 90, of Norman peacefully went to Heaven on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Legacy Village Retirement Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cremation services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Perry.
Judith was born September 27, 1931 in Hobart, Oklahoma, grew up in Gate, OK, and graduated from Hobart High School in 1949.

Her stepfather, Andy Dondelinger “Big Andy”, was a constant stability and support in her early years. Big Andy helped her start her own herd of Black Angus cattle and register her own brand. Judith had many stories and fond memories of growing up on a ranch. Lifelong friend, Jean Hankins Johnston, was often part of the adventures, playing in the creek barefoot, sneaking down to a pond or sitting in trees eating berries while being scolded. In high school, Judith worked as a nurse’s aide at Hobart hospital. She was encouraged by the nursing staff to submit an essay to the American Cancer Society to win a full scholarship to the University of Oklahoma Hospital School of Nursing. Judith won the statewide contest and entered nursing school In Oklahoma City, graduating in 1952. The same year, she married James E. Williams in Woodward, Oklahoma. They lived in east Texas and later in oil camp jungles in Venezuela.

They were the parents of four children. They later divorced and she married Gordon Conklin of Norman March of 1968. She had many accomplishments in her life, returning to OU to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, graduating in 1972; was in leadership positions in Altrusa, District 16 Oklahoma Nurses Association, CASA, American Cancer Society, and Norman Municipal Hospital.

She was very opened minded, very well liked, and had a great sense of humor. She always saw the best in everyone. In her retired years, she enjoyed her grandchildren, being a Master Gardener and working in her legendary backyard. As an avid quilter, she loved her quilters guild clubs and had an epic fabric stash.

Survivors include her children: Andrew Williams and wife Cindy of Tahlequah, Mark Williams, Susie Conklin, and Thad and wife Kerri, all of Norman, Amy Hafner of Orlando; grandchildren: Tyler Williams (Nocona), Austin Williams (Jordyn), Preston Williams, Rachel Kreger (Casey), and Olivia Harman (Lane), and Greyson Williams; great-grandchildren: Rhett and Dawson Williams, Baker Jayne Williams, and Kallie and Kass Kreger.

A celebration of Judith’s life will be held at 1 p.m. May 20, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Norman with Rev. Harry Smith officiating. Private interment will follow at the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Norman.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Food & Shelter, Inc., in Norman.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.