Barbara Laner Phillips

Barbara Laner Phillips was an elegant and charming woman, who possessed a special flair for design and beauty and a talent for all things artistic. A supporter of the arts, a bold champion of many human rights and mental health causes, a devoted mother and exuberant grandmother, she died Sunday, March 10. She lived a long life full of travel, accomplishments, much laughter,love, and great friendships. Known for her generous nature and deep compassion for others, she surrounded herself with loving family and true friends. A gentle yet determined woman, Barbara,"Barbar " to many, she started the American Field Service in Arkansas. She was deeply involved with The Panel of American Women, and the boards of Youth Home and Friends of Psychiatry at UAMS, the docent program at the Arts Center, and various political and human rights causes. She was often a catalyst for interfaith, interracial and intergenerational dialogue. Hers was not a superficial life. Her greatest successes were the close relationships she nurtured and cherished with her dear family and friends. She was a truly loving mother and grandmother to daughter, Beverly Wittenberg, son, Peter Phillips, grandchildren, Jessica Howard, Toby Murry, Lauren Blair, and Joshua Phillips, son in law George Wittenberg, and eight precious great grandchildren. A service in celebration of the joy she gave and felt will be on Wednesday, March 13, at Temple B'nai Israel at 4 p.m. Please consider a donation in Barbara's memory to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, 72205, or to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 7328, Little Rock, Ark. 72217, Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.