Nell Cox Conklin

WADESBORO – On Tuesday, February 23, 2026, Mrs. Nell Cox Conklin, 90, passed away peacefully at Wadesboro Health and Rehab in Wadesboro with family at her bedside.

There will be a memorial service at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Olivet United Methodist Church. Interment will be private in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Polkton.

The family will greet friends following the service at the church.

Nell was born in Anson County, NC on August 3, 1935, and was a daughter of the late Reuben Silas Cox and the late Mamie Jewel Bowers Cox. She was a graduate of Lilesville High School, class of 1953 and she was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served during the time of the Korean Conflict.

She worked in various retail positions which included Parsons Drug, Roses and Walmart. She retired from Walmart at age 70 and many still remember her for her years of service there.

Nell had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and raising beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds.

Those who are left to cherish her memory are her sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Cynthia Conklin of Lilesville and Terry and Patricia Conklin of Peachland; her grandchildren, Justin Conklin (Melanie) of Cameron, Mary Beth Barrett (Jordan) of Lilesville, David Conklin (Claire) of Polkton, Neal Conklin (Jessica) of Wadesboro, Kevin Conklin (Meleah) of Polkton, and Jarred Conklin (Baylee Starnes) of Lancaster, SC; her great-grandchildren, Knox Barrett, Birdie Barrett, Brayden Conklin, Ada Conklin, John Neal Conklin, Reese Conklin, Blaise Conklin, Archer Conklin, Silas Conklin, Maddux Conklin, Remi Conklin and Maisy Starnes; her sister and brother, Judy Cox of Lilesville and Roy Cox of Wadesboro; her sister-in-law, Cassie Cox of Lilesville

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Conklin and by her brothers, Roger Cox and Buddy Joe Cox.

Nell’s family is most grateful to her caregivers, Wendy Ard and Sue Williams, for all they did for her which allowed her to remain at home for as long as she could and most recently to the staff of Wadesboro Health and Rehab for the care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Alice Cox, 12509 Highway 742 N, Polkton, N.C., 28135.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com