LaRue Hines Phillips

She was born August 1, 1935 in El Dorado to L. J. “Big Boy” Hines and Prettice Clay Hines.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jack Hines of Houston, Texas.

She graduated from El Dorado High School in 1953 having served on the staff of the Hi-Gusher, the

school newspaper. In 1956 she graduated from Warner Brown School of Nursing. This was the start of

a nursing career that would span at least 40 years. She worked for a time in the office of Dr. Jacob Ellis

later serving as his private duty nurse. She worked at Warner Brown Hospital until the new Union

Memorial Hospital (now Medical Center of South Arkansas) was built. She first worked on 2nd Floor

of the new hospital but soon was put in charge of the Recovery Room where she spent the majority of

her career.

She enjoyed the friendship and respect of many doctors and nurses throughout her career. An avid

Razorback fan, especially when her brother played, she delighted in a friendly rivalry with the equally

avid Longhorn fan, Dr. J. C. Callaway, in the glory days of the Southwest Conference. Each year's

match-up between the two teams brought much anticipation about who could outdo whom with pranks

using team memorabilia as props. She cherished the friendship of many fellow nurses during her

career. She had an acute sense of attention to detail which served her well as she insisted on the best

care possible for her patients and in helping train new nurses . . . and doctors.

After moving to College Station, Texas in the late 1990's to be near children and grandchildren she

continued to make friends easily with new neighbors. She very much enjoyed the opportunity for a

closer relationship with her aunt, Mary Hines Sicilio, and her husband Fred.

She loved tending to her plants and the “granddogs” she inherited. She will be greatly missed by her

longtime neighbor, Diane Church.

After moving to Carriage Inn in Bryan in 2016 she continued making fast friends. Her spunk and sass

will be missed by all the staff of Carriage Inn as well as her new friends and table partners, Ms. Pearl

Britten and Ms. Annie Garrett.

She is survived by her brother, Glen Ray Hines, Sr., and wife Jody of Fayetteville; son Kevin Phillips

and wife Kathleen of Bryan, Texas; daughter Deena Hardin and husband Scott of Magnolia; grandson

Miller Hardin and wife Shae of Austin, Texas; granddaughter Afton Hardin of Grand Cane, La.;

greatgranddaughter Lorelei Hardin-Martinez of Magnolia; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Elizabeth C. Berigan of Bryan, and her staff, for their wonderful care of

and attention to LaRue throughout her time in the area. Thanks also go to John Googer, Maggie

Alexander, and all the staff of Carriage Inn for making her transition there such a happy experience.

Special thanks also go to the doctors, nurses, and staff of B-wing in the Critical Care Unit of St.

Joseph's Regional Health Center, and Hospice Brazos Valley, for their care of her in her last days.

Graveside services will be Saturday, May 6, at 2:00 pm at Rest Haven Memorial Park in El Dorado, the

Reverend David Prothro officiating under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Hospice Brazos Valley

of Bryan, Texas.