Thelma Phillips

June 14, 2013

Thelma Phillips of Berrydale passed away peacefully on June 11, 2013.

Thelma was a life long resident of Berrydale and grew up with many brothers and sisters on her parent’s farm. She learned the value of work at a young age as the entire family picked cotton and peanuts by hand, long before the use of mechanized farming equipment became widespread.

She met her childhood sweetheart Howard, while they both attended Fidelis School in the 1940’s. They married on April 26, 1946, and celebrated many wonderful years together until his death in 2009. She began working at the Chemstrand plant which later became the Monsanto Corporation. Her husband, a firm believer in education, convinced her to attend Troy Teacher’s College in Alabama while he continued to work. She lived in the dormitory but always tried to commute back home to Berrydale every weekend.

Thelma graduated from Troy with a Bachelors degree in education and began teaching in Harold school located in Harold, Florida for a short time. Later she transferred to Fidelis School where she taught fifth grade for more than 20 years. Often she taught generations of the same family over the years. One of her greatest joys in life was teaching students and she never failed to remember everyone. When Fidelis was closed she transferred to Jay and taught for 2 years until her retirement in 1987.

She enjoyed many happy years in retirement and spent time with her family and friends but never forgot her students. Often times many would drop by her house years after leaving Fidelis to visit. She also loved to crochet and made many afghans and hats which she donated to the Sacred Heart Cancer Center.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Bertie Phillips; her husband Howard Phillips; an infant son, Laney Howard Phillips; sisters, Louise Freels and Catherine Davis; and brother, Neal Phillips.

She is survived by her son Michael (Rosie) Phillips; sister, Rochelle (Wayne) Brown; and brothers, William E. Phillips, Cecil (Margaret) Phillips, Joe Phillips and Lloyd Phillips.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 13, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 14, at Jay Funeral Home with Pastor Donald Endress officiating services. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

The family would like thank the entire staff at Specialty select hospital; most especially the ICU nurses Wendy, Stacy and Josh who were so kind and provided not only expert care for Thelma but also provided encouragement to the family during this difficult time.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries