On February 4, 2001, in Decatur, Georgia, Jamal Amir Conklin was born. He was the first son of Willie E. Conklin and Meesa Alexander-Howell, and the first grandson of the family.

Jamal received his middle name, Amir, which means “prince,” from his Auntie Kahlila, and was that and more to his four aunts, parents and grandparents. They surrounded him with love and called him their “Sunshine” as he had a smile and energy that could light up any room, and a hug that would stop you in your tracks. His arrival sparked joy, wonder and excitement as the family prayed for a boy and welcomed this new world of haircuts, cars and football. They doted on and poured into him like a prized orchid, and he gladly soaked it all up.

A faithful and devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin, Jamal found joy in spending time with his loved ones and making them proud. He inherited his playful demeanor from his father, and when the two were together, there was never a dull moment. He adopted his sweet, affectionate and selfless nature from his mother. She and Jamal would often break into a dance together like no one was watching.

His bond with his siblings, La’Dejah and Malik, and cousin, Donovan, was enduring and incomparable. Not a day went by without either of them speaking to one another. Jamal adored his multiple visits and summers with his Auntie “Yo” in Buffalo, New York as a child. Despite a condition of asthma, he was also determined to accompany his grandmother and siblings on frequent walks up and around Stone Mountain.

“Granddaddy Yo” was an influential figure in Jamal’s life. From an early age, Jamal loved cars and received his first stock car from him. He was also a member of the Glenwood Hills Panthers youth football team, coached by his granddad, where he played lineman. His lifelong love of automobiles and working on them led him to train as a welder through Job Corps in Brunswick, Georgia. One of Jamal’s final tasks with his granddad was rebuilding a car and gaining more skills to fuel his passion.

Jamal was a self-assured and reserved yet magnetic spirit with a heart of gold. This caught the attention of the love of his life, Alaysia. The two met at the neighborhood swimming pool as teens and, from that point forward, were inseparable. Even as Jamal spent countless hours on the road as a truck driver, Alaysia never left his side. Their time together helped to solidify a bond like no other and brought them so much comfort, joy and love.

On the evening of Sunday, February 16, 2025, our “Prince of Sunshine” left this realm and journeyed to his final resting place in heaven. We will miss his bright smile and honor his life and legacy forever. Jamal Amir Conklin was preceded in death by his beloved sister, La’Dejah Jewel Inez Bradley, grandfather, Willie Blanchard, and great grandmother, Annie Jewel Alexander.

To celebrate a life of love and light, Jamal leaves his parents, Willie E. (Dori) Conklin and Meesa (Destonious) Alexander-Howell; one brother, Malik Conklin; three step-brothers, Destonius Howell Jr., Donovan Alexander and Dominic Alexander; two grandmothers, Luefredia Conklin and Rachel (Robert) Alexander; one grandfather, Yoland Alexander; one great grandmother, Helen Watson; four aunts, Yolanda (Craig) Quattlebaum, Portia Alexander, Kahlila Alexander and Tamarah Alexander; two nephews, Amir-Jamal Bradley and King’Dylan Bradley; cousins, Donovan Alexander, Al-Khalique Hamilton, Jr. and Zipporah Rhodes; and one life partner, Alaysia Michele Banks, along with a host of other family and friends.

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