JoEllen Conyers-Howell

JoEllen Conyers-Howell of Richmond, Indiana passed away on Wednesday November 8, 2023 surrounded by her daughters, Dorey Snyder and Julie Murray-Hoskins; grandchildren DevanLee Hoskins-Risch, Jessy Drew Hoskins, and Jordyn Hoskins. Jo’s seven great grandchildren also surrounded her bedside; Brennlee Risch, Hudsyn Burgdoerfer, Haisley Hall, Maxley Risch, Landyn Risch, Aliza Risch, and Lanya Risch.

Jo was born on September 10, 1946 in Richmond, Indiana. Her parents Lee and Jody Conyers were life-long residents of Wayne County.

Jo was a hard worker through out her life. In her earlier years, she was a head start teaching assistant at the Townsend Center in Richmond. Then proceeded to successfully run her own cleaning business for two decades. Jo then retired from C. R. Richardson Elementary School with Richmond Community Schools as part of their Janitorial team.

As a little girl, Jo earned the sweet nickname of ‘Punkie’ from her parents as it carried on until the end of her life. The nickname, Punkie, was created by the love that she had for her mom’s homemade pumpkin pie.

Jo was an avid gardener, earning her several wins over her years in retirement for having the prettiest porch and flower garden at her apartment complex; Cambridge Square Apartments in Richmond. Jo enjoyed picking weeds and planting flowers for each planting season with her mom and daughters. In turn, she looked forward to watching them blossom. Other than gardening, Jo adored and cherished her furry pets. Her initial love for animals came from the bond that she had with her beloved horse, Queenie, that she catered to as a young girl. She was known for her love of animals, especially any animal in need of rescue, and donated funds each month to The Humane Society of the U.S. Jo’s other hobbies included listening to Rock-n-Roll tunes and playing piano. Jo’s talent of playing piano followed with playing on Sundays at Friendship Community Church, outside of New Paris, Ohio, as a child and joyfully continued playing piano anytime she was near one through out her life. She shared her love of playing piano by teaching her granddaughters Jordy and Jessy Drew how to read and play piano. Within Jo’s heartfelt music interest, she played the kettle drums in band through out her high school education. Jo shared her interest in music through out 4 generations of her family and taught them that music speaks to the soul and can be healing.

Jo’s most prized title was becoming a Nanny to her three beautiful granddaughters; Devan, Jordy, and Jessy Drew who brought her endless joy and loads of love. For added bonus, Jo became a great grand Nanny to seven sweet grand girls; Brennlee, Hudsyn, Haisley, Maxley, Landyn, Aliza, and Layna. Jo admired and loved each one of her 10 granddaughters immensely. They were her reason to fight off her illness that happened suddenly during her last 4 weeks of life.

Jo was preceded in death by her loving parents Lee and Jody Conyers, who both passed away in 2007; paternal grandpa and grandma Conyers; and maternal grandpa and Nanny Driver. ♡ ♡ ♡

Upon Jo’s wishes, the family will have a private burial at West Lawn Cemetery in Hagerstown, Indiana. Condolences may be sent to the family via guest box at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com 

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