October 11,1932 ~ October 8, 2022
Elmo Lou Phillips, 89, of Bear Creek passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Phillips was born in Chatham County on October 11, 1932, the daughter of Nina Phillips and Buford Goins. Elmo was a member of Fair Promise United Methodist Church, where she held numerous offices and sang in the church choir. She worked for Southern Supreme Fruitcake for over 20 years. She enjoyed filling her days with quilting, sewing, cooking and gardening. Elmo enjoyed going out to eat and taking camping trips. She loved taking care of people and sitting with them during their times of need. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, James R. “Bobby” Phillips, son, Cary Phillips, and grandson, James McLaughlin.
She is survived by her children, Joy Barbour and husband Dannie of Shallotte, Landis Phillips and wife Donna of Sanford, Martha Whisnand and husband Jon of the home, and Neal Phillips and wife Brandi of Gilbert, Arizona; Daughters in Love, Joyce Phillips of Carthage, and Tracey Phillips of Siler City; grandchildren, Kaycey McLaughlin of Broadway, Jason Phillips and wife Tina of Liberty, Joshua Phillips and wife Cindy of Raleigh, Jonathan McLaughlin and wife Raven of Wilmington, Jeffery McLaughlin and wife Bambi of Boiling Spring Lakes, Nina Keown and husband Daniel of Lake Park, Georgia, Hannah Hancock and husband Jordan of Valdosta, Georgia, Nathan Phillips of Carthage, Jacob Phillips and wife Andrada of Cameron, and Samuel Phillips and wife Hannah of Siler City; great grandchildren, Aiden McLaughlin, Reagan Phillips, Cassidy McLaughlin, Jackson McLaughlin, Vernon McGee Phillips, Rebecca Keown, Luke Keown, Caroline Hancock, John Patrick Hancock, Maxwell Phillips, Benson Phillips, Rhys Phillips, Tyler Madison, Kayleigh Barbour-Bass; sisters-in-law, Mary Cox and Jeanette Phillips; and special friend, Melissa Stuart.
The family received friends on Monday, October 10, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 N. Second Ave., Siler City. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Fair Promise United Methodist Church, 192 Glendon-Carthage Rd., Goldston, with Rev. Tom Hallberg and Chaplain Sam Garris. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Hospice, Chatham Council on Aging or to Fair Promise United Methodist Church.
Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Phillips family.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com.