Cordelia "Cordy" Phillips

Cordy was born in Mountain Grove, Missouri on March 16, 1930, and was preceded in death by her parents Henry A. McCarty and Ida Belle Deavers McCarty. She was the youngest daughter and was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings: Nola Freeman, Chester McCarty, Ruby McCarty, Beulah Snyder, Dorothy Gossett, John McCarty and Doris Jean Darter. She graduated from Marionville High School. She worked at Service Life Insurance Company in Omaha, Nebraska. Following the untimely death of her first husband, Milton Beightol, she moved with her young son, Dale Beightol to Atlanta, Georgia. Through sheer determination she started a new life and career as an accountant at HB Fuller (HBF) Company where she remained for 17 years before relocating to Houston, Texas in 1980 and retired from HBF with 37 years of service.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Pasadena where she participated in a number of community mission activities, and once she could no longer actively participate in Church Builders, she sponsored others to attend and carry on the mission of rebuilding churches. She attended the Missions group to hear from, support and pray for local and international missionaries.

She and her late husband, Bill Phillips, enjoyed traveling the world and developed friendships from across the globe. They particularly enjoyed taking cruises here and abroad and despite his death five years ago, she was not deterred and lived her life to the fullest continuing to cruise until six weeks ago when she sailed her last of 101 cruises. Cordy was known for her infectious laughter and positive outlook on life even until her last breath. She was loved and is mourned not only by her family but her extended family of friends.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Milton Beightol of Columbus, Nebraska; Harold Gustafson of Carter Lake, Iowa; and, William R. Phillips of Pasadena, Texas.

Cordy is survived by her son, Dale Beightol, from her marriage to Milton Beightol in 1952; her marriage to Harold Gustafson in 1983 include step-children: Carol Ethridge (Rick); Dale Gustafson, Bonnie Gustafson, Judy Elliot (Roger); and Marla Gustafson (Brett); her marriage in 2006 to Bill Phillips include step-children: Michael Phillips (Elma), Tim Phillips (Carla), Patti Roberts (Demetrius); and finally, a friend she called her “daughter”, Mary Cole (Bill). She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 2 great, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, particularly one that was like a sister and to whom she referred to as “Sissie,” Louise Wilson. And, lastly, AnneMarie Kerth, great granddaughter (age 2) who referred to Nana as “my best friend.”

The family gratefully acknowledges a special team of close friends dubbed, “Cordy’s Angels” who kept close vigil over the years: Jana Blair, Mary Cole and Nan Mayo. The family is grateful to her medical care team, particularly Dr. Mohammed Quraishi and Dr. Theodore Yang; and, to the kind staff at the Courtyards Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility of Pasadena.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Pasadena, Beyond These Walls Ministry or Helping Hands Ministry.

Pastor Jon Redmond will officiate the celebration of her life at the Chapel of First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. Visitation 9:00am; Service 10:00am. Internment will follow at Grand View Funeral Home & Memorial Park Cemetery in Pasadena, Texas 77505.