Mary Phillips

Beloved mother, grandmother, and friend Mary Zonelle Phillips, 88, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at University Medical Center Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Mary was born on October 9, 1934 in Plainview, Texas to J.C. Gardner of Wolfe City, Texas, and Murill Maxine Smith, of Roden, Texas. Mary was married to John Sterling Phillips on May 10, 1952 in Clovis, New Mexico. The couple was blessed with three children: Kent, Royce, and Chris. Mary and John moved to Lubbock in 1969, with Mary taking a job as a meat wrapper at Furr’s Supermarket. John drove a laundry truck for Texas Industrial Laundries. The family spent many Fridays at the football field with Kent playing ball and Royce marching in the band.

In the 1980s, Mary earned her GED and attended American Commercial College where she studied bookkeeping. In her spare time, Mary enjoyed gardening, painting, and writing short stories. She was also a longtime member of the Red Hat Society of Lubbock, where she was able to pursue her passions and make lasting friendships.

Mary is survived and will be greatly missed by her son S. Kent Phillips and wife Sheila, son Chris Phillips and wife Leslie, six grandchildren, grandson Jason Phillips and wife Emily, grandson Justin Phillips and wife Jennifer, grandson John Phillips and wife Beth, grandson Chip Phillips and wife Sophie, granddaughter Caroline Fancher and husband Taylor, granddaughter Elise Hampton and husband Billy, 12 great-grandchildren, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband John S. Phillips, son Royce Phillips, parents J.C. and Maxine Gardner, and brothers David and Kenneth Gardner.

Family will receive guests on Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 5pm-7pm at Resthaven Funeral Home, 5740 W 19th Street. Services will continue with a 10am Celebration of Life in the funeral home chapel followed by interment in Resthaven Memorial Park.

For online tributes and shared memories please visit. www.ResthavenFuneralHome.com