Mrs. Bonita Phillips

Bonita Faye Bradshaw Phillips was the only child born to Everett (Ebb) and Sophronia Inez Russom Bradshaw on June 22, 1947, in Mineola, Texas. She was raised in the Little Hope Community of Winnsboro, Texas, attending school in Winnsboro. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Celebration of Life and Legacy will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Carthage with visitation with family and friends will begin at 10:00 am with service to follow at 11:00 am. Interment of cremains will take place in the future at Little Hope Cemetery in Winnsboro, Texas. Bonita met the love of her life, Jerry Cleo Phillips, on the school bus in 1960. They were married on September 6, 1963, at Little Hope Baptist Church by Bro. J.E. Hopkins. She teased Jerry by telling him she had no choice but to marry him as he was the only boy in the community, she wasn't kin to! Jerry and Bonita moved to Dallas in 1963. Jerry went to work for Dallas Power & Light and Bonita worked for Collins Radio in Richardson, Texas, in the communications department making radios for the Huey helicopters used during the VietNam war. After the birth of their youngest child, she came home to become a full-time wife, mother and caregiver to her mother for the next 17 years. After the death of her mother, she worked as Tax Assessor/ Collector for Beckville ISD; Secretary/ bookkeeper for Larry Dorman, Inc.; Reporter/photographer for the Panola Watchman Newspaper; Panola County Appraisal District; Hawthorne Funeral Home. Bonita and Jerry were saved and baptized at the same time in August 1972, at Victory Baptist Church, Sherman, Texas. Jerry surrendered to the ministry and together they served with Victory Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, both in Sherman, Texas. After moving back to East Texas, they served in First Baptist Church, Beckville; First Baptist Church, Carthage; and Liberty Baptist Church, Henderson. Bonita taught Sunday school, teaching 7-12 grades, Ladies Sunday School, Young Married Class, numerous Bible study groups, WMA president local and district, AWANA secretary, Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, pianist, and organist. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and calligraphy. Enjoyed times spent with family and friends, especially all the grand and great-grandchildren. Bonita is survived by her husband, Jerry, three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Very Favorite #1 Daughter, Tammie Phillips Herndon and husband, Brian, of Rockwall. Their daughters, Lauren Alyse Sheppard and husband, Jon, Jr. of Whitehouse and their children, Kenley Alyse, Chloe Alexis, and Graham Kirby; Amy Elizabeth Sheppard and husband, Matthew, of Bullard and their children, Madison Kate, Emma Elizabeth, Eleanor Rose, and Henry Matthew. Very Favorite #1 Son, Jerry Marcus (Mark) Phillips and his late wife, Ronna Lynn, of Gary. Their children, Ashley Brett Bowen and husband, Cody; Erin Brynn, Ryan Douglass, and Rhett Marcus, all of Gary. Very Favorite #2 Daughter, Kelly Phillips Wallace, husband Brian and their children, Claire Alexandra, and husband John Ward of Arlington, VA; Brice Everett of Arp. Special "son" and family, Chris and Julie White of Gary and children, Lindsey & Preston Byrd and children, Chloe, Paisley, and Jackson; and Jacob White, of Denton. God-given life-long friends Kent and Donna Elliott and family of Prosper; Charles and Bertha Hines and family of Sherman. Beloved church families at First Baptist Church, Beckville; Liberty Baptist Church, Henderson; Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Carthage; First Baptist Church, Carthage. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Bonita to The Hospice of East Texas, Tyler at www.hospiceofeasttexas.org or the Gideons International at www.gideons.org.

Tributes

Mrs. Bonita Phillips

June 22, 1947 - January 27, 2023