Photo courtesy of CLOSED-Davidson Funeral Home - Topeka
Topeka, Kansas
1928 - 2020
Maxine E. Phillips-Cox, 91, of Topeka passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020. She was born December 30, 1928 at Emporia the daughter of Harold and Maude Simmons Wieland. Maxine graduated from Emporia High School in 1945. She met Frank A. Phillips and they were married on March 7, 1948 at Emporia. Maxine was involved in PTA at her kids’ school and was a cub scout den mother while the kids were growing up. Maxine was always very family oriented. She attended the Church of the Nazarene in Emporia before moving to Topeka. Frank and Maxine would take vacations each summer to California, Nevada or Oregon. Later they enjoyed going to Branson. She moved to Topeka in 1971. Maxine was a Youth Service Specialist at the Youth Center at Topeka. She attended several churches in Topeka, including most recently North Rock Baptist Temple. Her favorite movie was “Yours Mine and Ours” with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. She and Frank enjoyed that movie very much. She enjoyed sewing, making wedding cakes for family and friends, and decorating for Christmas. Maxine was a great cook and was well known for her pies. Her husband Frank passed away on January 7, 2008. Maxine met Lorel “Bill” Cox and they were married in 2010.
She is survived by her children, Lyn L. Horgan and husband Dan, Diane S. Bitler, Cheryl Knight, and husband Terry, Steven F. Phillips and wife Roxanne, Patricia D. Baughman and husband Joe, D. Craig Phillips and wife Stacie, and Danny N. Phillips and spouse Antonio; daughter-in-law, Cindy Phillips; 26 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frank in 2008; son, Terry Phillips in 2019; brother, Robert M. Wieland; and her sister, Patricia Beck.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 1st at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia. To leave the family a message, please visit www.davidsonfuneral.com.
Read MoreShe was and will forever be very near and dear to our family and Church family at North Rock Baptist Temple. Continued prayers for the family
Lovella Bartlett
April 26, 2021 | Topeka, KS | Friend
I remember all the Memorial Day picnics at Peter Pan park as a little girl and riding the train from Lawrence to Emporia to spend a week playing with the kids Maxine and Frank always made it fun - she was a very special lady always willing to do for others Love Serena Samuels Anderson
Serena Samuels Anderson
April 25, 2021 | Lawrence, KS | Family
Maxine was my great aunt and I loved her and loved going to her house when I was a young girl. I thought it was heaven there with all Lyn and all the kids and sweet Max and Frank. Maxine had a way of making a person feel so special. She looked you in your eyes with those sparkly blue eyes and warm, beautiful smile and was interested in hearing what you had to say. All of our family loved her and know you will all miss her but she is making everyone in heaven very happy! Love Pam and family,...
Pam Lundberg
December 10, 2020 | Topeka, KS
I had the privilege of working with Maxine at YCAT back in the late 70s/early 80s. She made my wedding cake in ‘82; it was a work of art (3 tiers, blue). What a special lady she was!
Donna Campbell
December 09, 2020 | Topeka, KS | Friend
I am so sorry for your loss. Maxine was a wonderful lady, she was my Sunday school teacher when I was little and just knew how to get me to feel comfortable and talking. She had an amazing way of teaching the littles about the Lord. She will be missed dearly. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you all.
Skeeter Laws
December 08, 2020 | Topeka, KS | Friend
I’m so sorry for your lose. She was an amazing woman & will be missed dearly.
Oh and those awesome pies! Praying for you all.
Scooter & Barb Bradley
Barb Bradley
December 07, 2020 | Osage City, KS | Friend
Dear Maxiine family. She was a great lady and she will be missed. Dan and I always enjoyed get together with Maxine and Frank. I remember the Trolley ride with Maxine and family. About the first time I met Maxine she was frying up chicken for our Memorial picnic's. Love Judy
Judy Samuels
December 07, 2020 | Topeka, KS | Family
I am so sorry to hear about Maxine's passing Trish. She was a wonderful lady. She was my mom's best friend until she passed. She made my wedding cake for me when I got married and her pies were amazing. I know her and mom are up there catching up for loss time. She will be dearly missed. The Steinebach family!
Vicki Meyer - Steinebach
December 06, 2020 | Topeka, KS | Friend
Lyn and family, Maxine is certainly singing with the angels! What a beautiful family she raised (not to mention the influence she had on many of her kids' friends). So sorry to read about Terry's passing, too. Sending you all love, hugs, and prayers.
Peggy Whitehead-Carmichael
December 06, 2020 | El Lago, TX | Friend
