Obituary of Preston R. Conner, Jr.

Celebration of the Lives of Darlene and Preston R. Conner Jr. Preston R. Conner Jr. and Darlene Baker Conner built a life together in Lawnside, New Jersey, after marrying on November 8, 1989. During the last months of 2020, Darlene was an advocate for Preston during his sickness with doctors, nurses and anyone who had a hand in his care. She petitioned the LORD and enlisted prayer warriors, praising God when his condition improved. She was hospitalized in serious condition in early January. Sadly, they would not be together again. Preston was born in Trenton on April 5, 1949, a son of Preston R. Conner Sr. and Margaret L. Conner. He departed this life on January 11. Darlene Odessa, born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 23, 1951, was the youngest of six children of Ethel Mae Baker and Elder Isaiah Baker, Sr. She passed away on February 9. Preston began his education in Trenton public schools then moved to Burlington, where he graduated from the Burlington Township School system in 1967. He continued his studies at Rowan College at Burlington County. Darlene was a graduate of Lawnside Public School and Haddon Heights High School. She enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where she was assigned to HHC 561st Support Sustainment Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. She earned an associate’s degree in legal activity at Draughons Junior College, Bowling Green, Kentucky, later working for the Staff Judge Advocate General and then the Department of Defense, New Jersey. Darlene was awarded the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals and honorably discharged in 1978. Preston was the father of two children from a previous marriage, Preston III and Phoenique Nicole, both of Las Vegas. Darlene had a son Theo Baker from an earlier marriage and together they had a daughter Ashley. Darlene accepted Christ as a small child at her father’s church, Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Paulsboro, New Jersey. He died when she was five years old. They were members of Christian Tabernacle Church of Philadelphia, C.O.I.G.C. Preston was reserved, calm and observant. Those qualities served him well for more than 25 years as a state corrections officer at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Bordentown. He was inducted into the Silver Life Program of New Jersey Police Benevolent Association Local 105 in 2007 after 20 years of service. He retired five years later. Before his illness, Preston drove a van part-time for Wiley Christian Adult Day Care of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Darlene was industrious, hardworking, organized and methodical whether cleaning and beautifying her home, serving her churches, or pursuing her profession. She was employed by several law firms in the Delaware Valley over more than 30 years. Before retirement, she worked as a certified paralegal in patent law at Cozen O’Connor and Fox Rothschild in Philadelphia. Post-retirement, she worked part time at McOmber, McOmber & Luber, P.C., Marlton, New Jersey. Preston and Darlene vacationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, toured New Orleans and cruised the Caribbean. They had planned a trip to Paris. He liked football. They enjoyed watching old movies and appreciated fine cars. Darlene valued quality and relished shopping, whether for relatives, members of her church family, for friends or the needy. He indulged her, she pampered him. Preston was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Theresa Burley and Barbara A. Conner. Darlene’s sister and three brothers died before her: Audrey Mae, Isaiah, Jr., Thomas and Kenneth. In addition to their children, Darlene is survived by her eldest brother David L. Baker, Sr., and sister-in-law Lucille Baker, both of Lawnside. Preston leaves a brother Wayne and sister-in-law Elaine of Florida; two sisters, Pat Madison and brother-in-law Alonzo of Mississippi, Karen Ramey and brother-in-law Marvin of Willingboro, New Jersey, and daughter-in-law Denise Cravalho Conner of Las Vegas, Nevada. Their seven grandchildren are Isaiah Bowers, Najee Conner, Alliyah Conner, Corey Conner, Dante Conner, Ceara Farmer and Malik Farmer. Four great grandchildren are Robert Conner, Caden Conner, Ciani Conner and Capri Farmer. They leave a host of dear nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends to celebrate their lives. #