Katie Patricia (Phillips) Birchfield

KATIE PATRICIA (PHILLIPS) BIRCHFIELD "Pat", of Little Rock, Ark., age 78, passed away on October 12, 2020. She was born in Benton, Ark., on November 23, 1941 to James M. and Naomi (Williams) Phillips. Pat graduated from Benton High School in 1959, she was a legal assistant for over 35 years until retirement in 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Birchfield Jr., her parents, and five siblings. Survivors include her son, Frank (Vanessa) Birchfield and three grandchildren of New York; her daughter Lisa (Ken) Black of Colorado, her brother Monroe Phillips of Benton, Ark.; and numerous nieces and nephews, greats, and grands. There will be no formal service in an effort to maintain social distance and stay well. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pinecrest Funeral Home of Alexander, Ark. Pat will be laid to rest next to her husband. This is also the final resting place of her parents, several siblings, and numerous other family members. Education was important to Pat, and she was an avid reader. It was her wish that any memorial to her be expressed in support of literacy. "Read to a child; read to an elder; read to others. Help others learn to read and to enjoy reading. Support public libraries." Family donations have been made to the Saline County Library and Arkansas Food Bank in her memory. Pat's family would like to express a special thank you to the nurses and caregivers at Southern Trace Rehab & Care Center of Bryant, Ark., for their tender care and love of "Katie" as well as her family. A deeply heart-felt thank you.