Bessie Tharpe Phillips

Bessie Tharpe Phillips

Bessie Tharpe Phillips, a resident of Dothan, died late Saturday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2007, in the Extendicare Hospice Services Facility in Dothan. She was 94.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Wallace Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday at the mortuary in Headland. At other times, the family will be at the home of her daughter, Merle Wilkins, 2311 Creekwood Drive, Dothan.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Wiregrass Hospice Inc., P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL 36302.

Mrs. Phillips was born and reared in the Clopton community, daughter of the late Thomas Walter Tharpe and Cora Mae Childers Tharpe. She lived in Abbeville 21 years before moving to Dothan in 1956. Mrs. Phillips was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Dothan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shelva Floyd Phillips; a son, Solomon Floyd Phillips; and a granddaughter, Debra Sue Jackson.

Surviving relatives include her daughter, Merle Phillips Wilkins and husband, Walter Wilkins, Dothan; three sons, Bill Phillips and wife, Donna Phillips, Dothan, Walter Phillips and wife, Sue Phillips, Newnan, Ga., Henry Phillips and wife, Patty Phillips, Enterprise; a sister, Maxine Bennett, Dothan; 16 grandchildren; numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews also survive.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Maurice Brown, Tony Brown, Douglas Phillips, Terry Phillips, Gary Phillips and Jeffery Jackson.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Wiregrass Hospice, Extendicare Hospice Services Facility and a special thank you to Barbara Miller, Libby Barnes, Mindy Swain and Cathy Grimsley for the loving care given to Mrs. Phillips.

Holman-Headland Mortuary, (334) 693-3371, is in charge of arrangements.