Mrs. Bird
Jo Newton Bird, named at birth Charles Willadine Locklin, passed on Feb. 2, 2026, in Evansv i l le, Indiana, with caregivers and family near.
She was born Oct. 14, 1930, in Dav i l la, to Ruth Lucille (Hill) and Howard Newell Locklin.
She spent her childhood in Milam County with her parents and five siblings. The five sisters and a brother stayed very close through the years but against Jo’s personal wishes, as the oldest, she outlived them all.
At a young age, Jo fell in love and married a man named “Juney” Akers with whom they had a beautiful daughter named Sandy.
She moved to Houston in later years where she started her career with Shell Oil Co. She retired from there after 30-plus years and then her and husband Jack Bird, made it back to her “home” area, Rockdale.
She and friends spent years “throwing” Christmas Balls and fantastic events. She had friendships that spanned decades.
In her 80s, we convinced her to move to Indiana to be with her last sister, Shirley and nieces. She stayed in our care until the end.
She lived a full and prestigious life and, as the matriarch our family, she will never be forgotten.