Joanne Loy Abel Phillips was born April 29, 1930 in Marshall, Texas to John and Muriel Abel. She went quietly to her Lord Jesus February 13, 2021 at Pine Tree Ranch Assisted Living. The morning of that day, she was surrounded by her children and their spouses and, via video conferencing, her grandchildren joined that time of remembrance and worship by singing her favorite hymns. At Thanksgiving for many years, her favorite event was when the family would gather and sing hymns. Even after she had difficulty speaking, she could sing all the words to many of those hymns.
Joanne attended Marshall, Texas public schools and graduated from East Texas Baptist College with a degree in English. She was married to William C. (Bill) Phillips on December 27, 1950, and they enjoyed many years of faithful love until Bill’s passing in 1999. She loved and prayed for her children, David Phillips and wife, Gloria; Dr. Stephen Phillips and wife, Velda; Sharon Routon and her husband Dale. She was a faithful member of Paris Bible Church and an ardent student of the Bible.
She was happy to be a homemaker. She also loved to work in her flower beds and take photographs of her flowers. As an artist, she painted in a variety of mediums, and left artwork, including a number of East Texas outdoor scenes, for her children and grandchildren to enjoy.
Joanne was also active in the community, participating in the Paris Kiwaniannes Club, the Garden Club, the Art Study Club, and Lamar County Republicans. She also was an early volunteer at the Paris Pregnancy Care Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, and her sister, Carolyn. She is survived by her children, by grandchildren Joshua Phillips, wife Lauren and great-grandchildren Madelyn and Haddon; Jonathan Phillips, wife Reyna and great-grandchildren Cristina and Josiah; Amory Dibley, husband Bryan and great-grandchildren Aerin and Jai. Also Aaron Phillips, Sara Phillips, and Michael Phillips. Also Rachel Madzima, husband Tate and great-grandchildren Alexander, Ezekiel, Malachi and Lili; Bethany Gathright, husband Chris and great-grandchildren Olivia, Nora, Evelyn and Owen; Laura Threlfall and husband, Tim and great-grandchildren Emma and Hudson. Memorial service to be held at Paris Bible Church on Saturday, February 27 at 3:30 p.m.
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