Ida Jane Phillips

Ida Jane Phillips joined her heavenly family on the evening of Oct. 28, 2014. She had just turned 89 as she was born Oct. 27, 1925 in North Little Rock, Ark. to Minnie and Fred White. She attended schools in Hickory Plains, Des Arc, and graduated from high school in Jacksonville, Ark. While attending school and working in the local ordinance plant during WWII, she met David Phillips. They were married in 1948. She followed David on his Rock Island assignments along the Southern Division, settling in El Reno in 1961. The family joined First Baptist Church soon afterward, and remained active there until her health failed. Ida Jane had a "servant's heart". She cared for her brother and sisters, when her parents had health problems. She served both her church family, and in school activities. Ida Jane worked for Southwestern Bell in Little Rock, then resigned to become a full time mother. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. In 1966 she worked in the Lincoln cafeteria in order to send her children to college. All three of her children graduated from college debt free. When her mother Minnie developed Alzheimer's Disease, she took her into her home and cared for her until shortly before Minnie's death. David, who had heart problems and later cancer, was also under her care until his death in 2007. In 2009, Ida Jane developed Alzheimer's as well. Ida Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Fred White; and David, her husband of 59 years. Ida Jane is survived by daughters; Karen (Bruce) Swart of Baytown, Texas, and Susan (Wayne) Barks of El Reno; her son, Paul (Lori) Phillips of Yukon. Her grandchildren (her pride and joy) are: Amanda, Jennifer and Courtney Swart of Baytown, Texas; Louie Bomhoff and Lisa (Tanner) Escott of Yukon, Taylor Barks of Taloga; Nathan (Sarah) Phillips of Durango, Colo., and Alaina Phillips of Stillwater. Ida Jane is also survived by great-grandchildren; Tatum and Triston Escott, Braydon Swart, and Elijah David Phillips due in mid-November. Also surviving Ida Jane are: brother, David (Lee) White of La Grange, Texas; Sue Franklin of North Little Rock, Ark.; Martha (Al) Smith of North Little Rock, Ark.; as well as host of nieces and nephews in Arkansas. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Smith - Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, Ark. with burial to follow in the Beebe Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staffs at St. Katharine Drexel; El Reno Care Center; Dr. Clinton Strong; and Russell-Murray Hospice for their loving care of Ida Jane. Local arrangements under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home, El Reno, Okla.