Mary Lea Milton

Mom is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Tina Belo (Jeff) and Kelly Elbert (Kevin); her 5 grandsons, Trevor, Christian, Bryson Elbert, and Demetri and Dominic Belo; her brother Patrick Phillips and wife Nida; Brother-in-law, Rick Milton and wife Dianne; Sister-in-laws Judy Brown, and Jeanette Hopper and husband Gary; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband of 48 years, Chris Milton (in 2020); her loving mother and father, Jonnie Phillips (in 2018), and Melvin Phillips (in 2013).

Mom’s unwavering courage and enduring strength, coupled with her cheerful smile, infectious laugh and personality, and those sparkling blue eyes, will be admired and greatly missed for years to come. Her unique soul and love for people touched many lives, so much so that many neighbors and close friends became extensions of our family.

She and Dad were blessed to be surrounded by many good friends, some of the closest being from their Bullard High School class of 1972. These friends also became more family to us as well (you know who you are, and we love you).

Our Mother was in the Credit Union Industry for more than 40 years, before retiring in 2019 as Branch Manager of the Fresno Bee Employees Credit Union. There, once again, her beautiful and fun personality took hold of many more dear friends. These treasured friends that she traveled with, laughed and cried with, and held many fond memories and moments with. They all held a very special place in her heart.

Our family would like to thank all of you for loving her and our family over the years. We want all of you to know that she loved all of you dearly, and our family has faith in God above that this is not goodbye, but more of a “I’ll see ya when I see ya”, as she would cheerfully say. We would like to thank Hinds Hospice, UCSF Oncology, C-Care and Clovis Cancer Center for all the kind and compassionate care they gave to our mom.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Fresno Memorial Gardens at 11:00am with luncheon to follow at 1:00pm. Charitable donations in her honor can be made to Hinds Hospice of Fresno and UCSF Multiple Myeloma Research and Education Fund.