Jeralyn Ann "Jerri" Phillips

Jeralyn (Jerri) Ann Phillips, age 82, of Baldwin City, Kansas passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living Center in Lawrence, Kansas.

Born October 6, 1943, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jerri was first of four children of Gerald W. Smith and Evelyn Marie Igou. She attended various schools throughout her childhood in Colorado and in San Diego, California, graduating from high school in 1961. She later completed a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Baker University in Balwin City, KS. Jerri married Daniel J. Payne, with whom she had a daughter, Dani Payne, and later married Robert Phillips with four stepchildren whom she raised. Jerri was an avid lover of horses. She pursued that interest raising beautiful Arabian horses while living on the Phillips family farm located between Balwin and Lawrence, KS. That farm, which she called the “Bit O’ Bittersweet Farm” made the cover of a Kansas magazine in 1985.

Jerri Phillips is especially well known for her creation (in 1998) and long-term management of Country Meadow Dog Boarding Kennel in Douglas County, located in the countryside between Lawrence and Baldwin City. Jerri dedicated her life there to her love of dogs and to the service of many dog owners who trusted her with the care of their beloved dogs. Jerri and her Country Meadow Kennel are well recognized by many for her extraordinary, meticulous attention to the professional care and well-being of dogs who came for day-care or longer-term boarding. She valued her customers. She worked hard to provide the special individualized care each dog was accustomed to. Jerri also went out of her way to help her clients with dog care when difficult personal times or emergencies hit in their own lives. She loved their dogs like her own. She dedicated her time, day and night, to watching over the family of dogs in her kennel. Jerri was also a talented artist and ceramic potter. While staying close to the many animals in her kennel, she dedicated any extra downtime to her artistic projects. She sketched or painted many portraits of her own dogs as well as those staying in her kennel. She painted favorite scenes in our environment and portraits of people important to her. Many of Jerri’s amazing framed artistic works covered the walls of the office and receiving area of Country Meadow Kennel.

Jerri is survived by her daughter, Dani Payne, and her husband Robin of Rose, Oklahoma; and by her siblings Robert Smith (Beverly) of Buena Vista, Colorado; Wayne Smith (Beth) of Columbia, South Carolina; and Marlene Linda Berry of Houston, Texas along with many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks are expressed to staff of Lawrence Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care of Jerri during her month-long stay there. Also, many thanks to the staff of Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living for their wonderful care and attention to Jerri’s needs. This included their extra special help with Jerri’s loyal, devoted dog, Wendy, who stayed in Jerri’s lap keeping her company most of the time she resided at Pioneer Ridge.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jerri’s name to Lawrence Humane Society, in care of Warren McEwain Mortuary, Lawrence, Kansas.