Beth Phillips

Beth Phillips left this life to join her Heavenly Father on January 16, 2012. She was born in Cleburne, Texas on April 14, 1951, the youngest daughter of Lois and Preston Manley, who predeceased her. She graduated from Petrolia High School and attended Midwestern State University. There she met Stephen whom she married on March 3, 1972. For 40 years, their marriage grew in love, happiness, faith in God and devotion to one another and to their children, Brian and Melissa. Beth will be remembered by her family and a host of friends as a generous, gracious, faithful and talented woman who lived her life wrapped in the love of Jesus. She quickly made lifelong friends in every city in which she lived, following her husband’s career. She was an excellent seamstress, making beautiful and cherished quilts. She was also a gifted musician. “I will praise God’s name in song”(Psalms 69:30), and that she did. Many were blessed by her beautiful voice and were inspired by her ministry in music. She loved singing and always wanted her music to bring glory to God. Beth’s heart was enriched by mission work, just as she enriched the lives of missionaries. While in Charlotte, NC, she organized the annual Missionary Boutique out of her garage so that all-new merchandise was available for missionaries to shop “for free”. The missionaries who benefitted from Beth’s work reported that they did their best to schedule their trips to Charlotte so they could shop at the “Boutique” and eat in Beth’s kitchen! While her ministries were important to her, Beth’s main love was her family. She is survived by her husband Stephen of Tyler, son Brian and his wife Michal and their son Jonathan of Tyler, and daughter Melissa of Shreveport. Her love of being a wife and mother was only matched by her affection for her grandson who knew her as “Mimi”. Her family cherishes the memory of her faithful love for them, which was rooted in Jesus’ faithful love for her. Beth is also cherished by her sister Pat Knight and husband Rick, sister-in-law Paula Vanpool and her husband Darrell, and her brother-in-law Michael Phillips and his wife Dayna. Her nieces are Heather Bell, Holly Morse, Hannah Truesdale and Torianne Peavier. Great-nephews are Preston, Ethan, Jonah, Evan and Jacob; great-nieces are Erin and Payton. Beth’s aunts include Marcille Booth, Mary Drapela, Peggy Elmore and Olien Elmore. Her nephews are listed as pallbearers. In addition, Beth leaves numerous cousins. Beth was a member of the Celebration Sunday School Class at Green Acres Baptist Church, and she attended Bethel Bible Church, both in Tyler. While Beth will be deeply missed and her time here seems too brief, we trust in God’s perfect timing and in the knowledge that her journey with her Saviour is just beginning.

Beth Phillips

April 14, 1951 - January 16, 2012