Betty Ann Phillips

She was born on June 13, 1932 in San Antonio, TX. She was the first child of Sidney Suggs and Mary Elizabeth Jolly. Brothers Frank and Bud followed six and eight years later.

Sidney Suggs Jolly was in the Meat Packing Business and employed by Swift and Company. As a result of his career he and his family moved throughout the United States. By the time Betty was 16, she had moved from San Antonio, TX to Atlanta, GA to Gainesville, FL, and then Salt Lake City, UT where she graduated from high school. She then attended TCU in Fort Worth, TX. She majored in journalism with the plan to follow her paternal grandmother into the newspaper business, but did not graduate. She returned home to her parents in Salt Lake City where she worked in a bank. She was introduced to Roger Phillips, who was stationed with the Air Force in Salt Lake City, by their respective fathers who both worked for Swift and Company. During the summer of 1952 she took a break from the bank and traveled through Europe with a group of women, the first of many overseas adventures Betty would embark on. When she returned home Roger Phillips proposed and they were married on January 15, 1953.

When Roger was released from service with the Air Force, they moved to Madison, TN where they purchased their first home and their first child, Karen, was born in 1955. Roger’s career, much like her Father's before, caused frequent moves. They moved to Lawrence, KS, where son, Michael, was born in 1958, Seattle, WA, Los Altos, CA, and Whittier, CA where son, Stephen, was born in 1965. While living in Whittier, CA sons Michael and Stephen both passed away.

In 1965 Betty and Roger decided Roger would accept a new assignment and moved to Tokyo, Japan with Karen. At the conclusion of their two years in Japan, they traveled around the world over the summer of 1967. It was a fabulous adventure. The family returned home to Whittier where son Roger Jr. was born in 1969. With Roger Jr. in tow, they moved to Ventura, California and later temporarily to Celle, Germany, and Hong Kong.

In 1976 the family again returned to their home in Ventura. Although they had an opportunity to move back East they decided to stay in Ventura when the company Roger worked for was sold. For the first time in Betty's life she was able to establish roots in one place. She enjoyed those roots and became an active member of the community first with her involvement at Roger Jr.’s school, and later with the Assistance League of Ventura where, among other things, she was in charge of collectibles at the Bargain Box until her final illness made it impossible. She was also active with the Rubicon Theater.

Betty was an excellent craft artist. Many of her artistic endeavors over the years were donated to charity for fundraising purposes. Her close friends and family will cherish her artistic efforts for years to come.

The years, her travels, moves and losses, including the loss of her husband, Roger Phillips, in July 2007 after over 54 years of marriage, strengthened Betty. It made her a strong advocate for those she loved and cared about, a wonderful friend, and an even stronger champion for children and women. In 2012 Betty was honored by the Community Gems, receiving an award for her charitable work.

Above all, she loved her family. Nothing made her happier than being with them. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Phillips Donahoe (Husband Tim), son Roger Jr. (Wife, Barbara) and five grandchildren Patrick, Brian, Katie, Madison, and Rhys. She faced her final illness as she did in her life, with strength, love and humor. Betty epitomized the idea of “A life well lived.” We will miss her greatly.

A private service and memorial luncheon will be held. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make donations to the Assistance League of Ventura County or the Hemophilia Federation of America.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home.