Margaret H Phillips

April 14, 1922 – March 9, 2026

Margaret was born near Bath, Kentucky to Sydney and Fannie Smith and was the 5th of 11 children – Sue, J.B, Helen, Emma, Bob, Chester, Jim, Nancy, Frances, and Ruth all who have proceeded her in death. During her younger years, they moved to Miller, Missouri where she graduated from Miller High School and then went on to complete studies at the Secretarial College in Springfield. Joining two of her girlfriends, they decided to head off to the big city looking for employment. One beautiful April afternoon while strolling the neighborhood in North Kansas City, she met the love of her life, Warren Phillips. Warren and his buddies were working on a car when the girls stopped to chat; three months later, Margaret and Warren were married. They were married for 58 years before Warren proceeded her in death in August 2006.

Margaret and Warren had four children – Larry (and Barbara), Marjorie passed in 1953, Carol (Dan passed 2016), John (and Sandy); five grandchildren – Jeanette (Kevin), Tayler, Preston (Brittney), Cory (Chris) and Logan and five great grandchildren – Frank, Jackson, Jonah, Paxton and Brody -- along with a zillion nieces and nephews (no kidding, there are tons) ! All of whom she prayed for daily.

Margaret was an active member of Lane Avenue Baptist Church for over 34 years and attended as much as possible. However, she never forgot all of her friends that she had made during her 24-year membership at Little Blue Baptist. Over her years in the church, she has been a Deacon’s wife, member of the choir, Sunday School teacher, kitchen worker, activities coordinator, nursery worker, greeter, and custodian. Wherever she was needed, she was there! She loved the Lord and she was ready to meet Him and in her later years she often asked why God kept her here so long …. it was because He knew we all needed a Prayer Warrior!!!

Margaret’s life was filled with all kinds of exciting jobs that kept her on the move – starting off with the Farmer’s Exchange Grocery Store in Miller and then Sears and Roebuck, Excide Battery plant during the war making tank batteries, accounting at John J. Meyers, and housekeeping, of course juggling wife and motherhood in the mix. A step in a totally different direction sent her to M & W Escort Service where she traveled all over the United States escorting oversized loads to their final destinations, when that started to fizzle out in the early 80’s, Margaret and Warren took on another venture – Mid America Laminating that 44 years later is still going strong. Just two months ago, Margaret was still working in accounting there making deposits and helping with financials.

Margaret loved working in her flower garden, picking out walnuts, camping and sitting around the campfire, fishing, visiting with friends and family and taking drives along the countryside. The Smith Family Reunion was always the highlight of her year and she would talk about it for months (before and after) the big event!

Margaret passed away peacefully in her sleep after a short bout with kidney failure – she was just shy of her 104th birthday. Her advice to you now, would be to “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Love the Lord with all your heart” and you will be successful in life.

A Celebration of Life Service for Margaret Phillips will be held April 11th at 11am with visitation from 10am to 11am at

Lane Avenue Baptist Church, 9003 E. 87th Street, Raytown, MO 64133

In lieu of plants or flowers, donations may be made to:

The Smith Family Reunion, c/o Patty Childress, 12903 Lawrence 2050 Miller, MO 65707

or the Lane Avenue Baptist Church Memorial Fund.