Elissa Mae Phillips

Elissa Mae Phillips, 92, of Lincoln, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at her home on her 92nd birthday, December 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born December 19, 1933, in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, to Ben and August Frazier, Elissa developed lifelong passions for music and art. A blind date arranged by her Dexter high school classmate Joe Duran introduced her to Richard Phillips, the love of her life. They married on March 26, 1953, and charmingly celebrated their anniversary on March 27th for all 63 years of their joyful marriage.

A talented artist who loved the Lord and her church, Elissa created lovely sketches and paintings that adorn her children's homes. Her faith inspired her to beautifully illustrate Bible verses in published books, including Pathways, Whatsoever Things Are Lovely, Some of God's Creatures Great and Small, Rocks of Ages, and Heavenly Skies. Elissa was also renowned for her hospitality and cooking. She prepared countless delicious meals for family and friends.

Elissa was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her warmth, resilience, and joyful spirit that touched everyone she met. In her later years, she lived next door to her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Matt Ferguson, where she was tenderly cared for and delighted in the constant companionship of her beloved dog, Chloe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Phillips.

Elissa is survived by her children, Rick Phillips (Carol), Kirk Phillips (Nancy), Rebecca Ferguson (Matt), and Poco Gorby (Cory); her grandchildren, Kris Davis, Heather Loethen (Jeremy), Brooke Cullen (Brett), Cody Fouratt, Joel Ferguson (Caitlin), Sarah Patterson (Cade), Shianna Shipps (Jesse), and Cassidy Gorby; and her great-grandchildren, Brody Cullen, Jameson Fouratt, Blair Cullen, Archer Loethen, Isla Loethen, Presley Patterson, and Lainey Patterson.

When asked about the happiest times in her life, Elissa shared: "I was most content riding with my husband, Richard, in his old gas truck making delivery trips on back country roads. We would stop in some pleasant spot and eat a lunch I had packed of sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, cookies, and share a coffee thermos."

Services will be at 10 AM on December 30th, 2025, at the Angus Church of the Nazarene Auxiliary Hall at 103 Bonita Park Rd, Angus, NM.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brett Cullen, Cody Fouratt, Joel Ferguson, Jeremy Loethen, Cade Patterson, Kris Davis, and Jesse Shipps.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to LincolnCountyFood4Kids.org in Elissa's memory.