Linda Lou Phillips, 75, long-time resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed from this earthly life and went home to be with the Lord Jesus, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at her home in Poplar Bluff.
Linda was born Oct. 2, 1942, in Wardell, Mo., to parents Wiley and Mildred Vickery. She grew up on a farm in Wardell, Mo. where she learned the value of responsibility and hard work.
On Feb. 28, 1960, Linda married Arvell Phillips in Wardell, Mo. She graduated as valedictorian of her class of 1960 at Wardell High School in May. Following marriage and high school graduation, Linda entered the work force with Missouri Social Services. In December of 1960, Linda and Arvell welcomed their first child, Harvey Lynn. Their second child, Lisa Ann, was born in August of 1964.
Linda left Social Services and began a career in the insurance industry with agencies in Caruthersville, Mo. In 1969, the family moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo. where she continued working in the insurance business with Cleveland Insurance Agency and Tom Croy Insurance. Linda subsequently worked at Crossroads Convenience Store and then retired in 2009 after seven years as a US Bank employee.
Linda became a new creation in Jesus Christ on July 5, 1988 when she placed her faith in Him. Following Christ as Lord and Savior was the burning passion of Linda's life. Linda was active in church throughout her life working as a Sunday School teacher, Music Leader, Children's Choir Director, Vacation Bible School leader, and several other roles as a faithful member of Second Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff.
Family was very important to Linda and she was the matriarch of her immediate and extended family. sHolidays were especially important times with her family and the feasts she would prepare were fit for kings. Linda enjoyed gardening, canning, all sorts of cooking, and was an avid basketball fan rooting for the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors. Linda was also a voracious reader and a poet.
Linda was active for many years in the T.O.P.S. organization attaining a leadership role as a K.O.P.S. She was a speaker at many regional conferences where she sought to encourage and motivate others to success.
Survivors include her husband, Arvell, of the home; her son, Harvey Lynn Phillips (wife Rosemary) of Poplar Bluff; her daughter, Lisa Ann Odom (husband Bob) of Bartlesville, Okla,; grandchildren, Christopher Odom (wife Myranda) of Poplar Bluff, Melissa Odom of Bartlesville, Okla., Amy Besher (husband Josh), Lori Wood, and Ricky Robertson of Poplar Bluff; great-grandsons, Landon and Levi Odom of Poplar Bluff; brothers, Orville Vickery, of Mountain Home, Ark. and Robert Vickery (wife Kris) of Ponca City, Okla.; and nephews Titus and Jonathan Vickery of Ponca City, Okla.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Second Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23 at Second Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Vickery officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens in Poplar Bluff.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Phillips' name may be sent to Second Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff, Mo. ss
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.
Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff, MO is in charge of the arrangements.
Paid