Mable Frances Phillips

Our "Aunt", Mable Frances Phillips, at age 99, peacefully passed away, on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at the Wisteria Nursing Facility in Abilene. She will continue her work with our Lord in Heaven. Mable was an avid and tireless member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, which she joined in 1924 at age 12. She was born in Andrews, Texas, in 1912, and moved to Abilene with her parents Mark and Oma Phillips after a four year stay in Midland. Mable was the oldest of seven children and became the respected mainstay of the family during the World War II years. She graduated from Abilene High in 1930 and earned BS and BA degrees at McMurry, in 1934. Later, she earned her Master's at Hardin-Simmons. This tireless educator not only helped many of her siblings go to college at McMurry, by working extra hours to put them through, she mentored all of them. Mable worked for seven different school districts in Texas, as a classroom teacher and counselor.

All of this time, this wonderful lady became life-long friends with hundreds of Big Country residents and became the "Go-To" person for her extended family, now spread out all over the USA by the 1960's. We all knew, no matter what your situation or difficulty, you could always count on Mable and any other family members in Abilene, to take you in and give you a hot meal and a warm bed to stay in. We were always welcome! She belonged, volunteered, and worked in over two dozen organizations and assisted in at least a dozen more! One of her passions was Bridge and over the years she played with many different groups. Her later years were spent making Christmas cards for the Abilene State School, keeping up with everyone in Abilene and all over the country. Additionally, she loved doing crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Our Aunt was still driving her Town Car at age 97! In 2007, McMurry University honored her as a Distinguished Alumni. We are all so proud of her contributions and loving care to all.

Mable was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Oma; sisters, Margaret Bounds and Louise Neumann; and brothers, Samuel Y., Robert M, and, James W. Phillips. Her sole-surviving sibling is Morris G. (Buster) Phillips of Indiana. Other survivors include fifteen nieces and nephews and all of their families. God bless you Mable Phillips. We love you!

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with Robert Gillette and Dr. Eddie Rivera officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory, Abilene. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mable requested memorial donations to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. Our entire family expresses much appreciation and thanks to Bob and Ardis Gillette for their loving care-giving during Mable's last years.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.