Jessie Mae (Lyons) Phillips

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jessie Mae (Lyons) Phillips, aged 93, of Otisco, Indiana. Jessie passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving family singing "Amazing Grace" to her. Although we deeply mourn her loss, we take comfort and joy in knowing that she is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus and her loved ones who have gone before.

Born on February 23, 1930, in Mt. Ida, Arkansas, Jessie was the beloved daughter of Robert Bee and Nellie Almeda (Warren) Lyons. She was a devoted housewife, a caring mother, and an active member of Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Jessie's life journey took her from working at a packing company in Exeter, California, to working at Hewlett Packard in the San Francisco Bay area from 1952 to 1965. After moving to Colorado in 1965, they resided in Tucson, Arizona, from 1966 until 2016, where they attended the Northside Fellowship Church with their best friend and Pastor, Brother Douglas McHughes, and his wife, Imogen. Eventually, she and Royal settled in Otisco, Indiana, enriching the community with her presence.

Jessie's 77-year marriage to Royal L. Phillips, which began on December 21, 1946, was a testament to their enduring love and partnership. Her husband Royal, children Glenda Grow of Tucson, Arizona, and David Phillips (Kathy) of Otisco, along with her siblings Jerry Lyons (Johnnie Mae) of Oden, Arkansas; Flo Walker (Gail) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Pam Bates of Mena, Arkansas; and Phyllis Floyd also of Mena, Arkansas, join in remembering her fondly. Her grandchildren, Eric Louis Zeller (married to Sundee), Sarah Berna (married to Shawn), David Royal Phillips (married to Ruth), Jonathan Phillips (married to Joanna), sixteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren will keep the light of her memory burning brightly in their hearts.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Ava Dell and another who passed away during childbirth, as well as her beloved aunts, Cora Scott, Eunice Berkel and Octavia Graham.

Jessie's life will be celebrated at Grayson Funeral Home in Charlestown at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024, with a visitation for friends and family starting at 9:30 am.

Additionally, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel-Glenwood, 209 North Third Street, Glenwood, Arkansas.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM, prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Jessie's final resting place will be the Gaston Cemetery in Mt. Ida, Arkansas.

Guest registry may be found at www.smithfamilycares.com.