Phyllis J. Conley, 94, went home to be with the Lord she loved and served surrounded by her loving family, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Box Butte General Hospital. She joined her beloved husband in heaven as the sun set, exactly 10 years to the day of his passing.
Phyllis Conley was born December 26, 1925 on a farm in Plainview, NE. She was the first of nine children born to her parents Alvin and Esther (Benson) Butts. In 1929 her family moved to Moorcroft, WY. She attended country school with her siblings as a youth and had to “walk two miles just to get there.” She attended high school in Moorcroft, WY, participating in numerous extracurricular activities. While attending high school she trained to work for North Western Bell as a switchboard operator. Phyllis graduated in 1944 and that same year married her fiancé Clifford Conley. Clifford had returned on a short fifteen day delay from his military service and after would be in route to Germany to serve in WWII. The two decided to elope and were married in Broadus, Montana. Upon her husband’s return from war they moved to Newcastle, WY where their family of two steadily grew to a family of five. In 1949 she accepted the Lord into her heart in the Baptist Church. In 1962 they moved to Chadron, NE where Phyllis worked with her husband operating a Texaco station. In 1973 they moved to Alliance, NE where Phyllis worked as a wife and mother caring for her family. She also became an avid member of the Berean church and helped with their Awanas youth program for twenty years.
Phyllis took great pride in her role as a homemaker and was very talented at quilting and embroidery. Her favorite though, was crocheting and her afghans and doilies were a coveted treasure amongst her family and friends. Phyllis was known for her huge heart and was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family. Her love did not end there though, she enjoyed the title of mother and grandmother to many adults and children whom she often spoke of and reflected on fondly. She shared her faith and love especially with her beloved congregation at the Berean church.
She will be dearly missed by her son Jim (Twila) Conley of Alliance, NE, and daughter Bonnie (Byford) Avery of Alliance, NE. Phyllis will also be missed by her sisters Alta Johnston of Oklahoma and Linda (Olen) Pedie of Bottineau, ND. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christine (Steve) Price of Cheyenne, WY, Michelle (Joe) Fritz of Westminster, CO, Cody (Bergetta) Conley of Chadron, NE, Kyren (Chris) Gibson of Alliance, NE; and seven great grandchildren, Jared and Rachel Price, Tucker and Gracie Fritz, Landon Hamilton, and Dylan and Jackson Conley. In heaven she joins her husband Clifford Conley, her son and daughter-in law Earl and Doris (Hensel) Conley, her granddaughters Delana Hamilton and Jennifer Avery, and great grandchild Zachary. She also joins her parents and siblings Donald Butts, Allen Butts, Harvey Butts, Ray Butts, Lyle Butts, and Mary Jones.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Alliance Berean Church, 1639 Emerson Avenue in Alliance. Pastor Glenn Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in the Alliance cemetery followed by a celebration of her life afterwards at the Berean Church. Please come and share your memories. Memorials may be sent in care of the Berean Church or the donors choice. For more information contact Kyren Gibson, 308-760-7118. Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.