Mary Jo Phillips, 93, of New Canton, IL, left this earthly life on January 15, 2025, at Barry Health Care & Senior Living in Barry, IL.
Born on January 30, 1931, Mary Josephine Horton, was the daughter of William Otis Horton and Gladys Lynch Horton of Rockport, IL. Mary Jo was one of seven children and the last surviving member of her family.
On December 10, 1950, she and William Leroy Phillips were married in New Canton. To this union were born four children, Cherry, Bruce, Mark and Roy Phillips. Bill preceded her in death on August 16, 2011.
Mary Jo is survived by her children, Cherry (Larry) Miller, Bruce (Trina) Phillips, Mark (Anita) Phillips and Roy Phillips, all of New Canton, grandchildren, Derrick (Kendra) Phillips, Jessica (Jeromy Smith) Phillips, Samantha Jo (Josh) Borden, Jacob (Evan) Phillips, and Sgt. Joshua (Julia) Phillips, U.S.M.C., great grandchildren, Mackenzie (Trevor Johnson) Phillips, Haylee (Weston) Smith, Cayden Fesler, Gage Smith, Madison Phillips, Broklynn Stolte, Reagan Coultas, Miley Phillips, McKenah Jo Borden, Maesyn Phillips, and Emmie Phillips, sister-in-laws, Eleanor Fee and Phyllis (Jack) Perne, and her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband Bill, of 61 years, her parents Otis and Gladys Horton, her in-laws Henry and Elizabeth Phillips, sister, Minnie Horton Dalton, her siblings and spouses, Delbert (Gladys) Horton, Margaret (Chuck) Damon, Wanda Mae (Ray) Hayes, Emily (Harry) Rohlfs, Emmette (Dorothy) Horton, and Mildred (Junior) McIntosh, sister-in-law Letha Lee and brother-in-law Will Fee.
Mary Jo grew up on a farm near Rockport. She attended a one-room school house in her early years. She attended New Canton High School and was the first graduating class of West Pike High School in 1950.
At an early age she and her younger sister, Mildred, walked to the Lawrence Gay home on Sunday morning to attend church in Rockport with Mrs. Gay. At age 17, she was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which is now known as Community of Christ. She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and actively served him for 77 years. She was ordained an Elder in the Priesthood on January 30, 2011.
She learned at a young age to help with chores on the farm. From milking cow's morning and night, to baling hay, helping in the vegetable garden and picking strawberries. Her love of gardening and sharing the harvest was a great passion of her and Bill's together. She loved all flowers and all colors. From Gladiolus to Mums to Christmas Catcus. And her beloved birds. Winter birds and her hummingbirds in the summer. These past years her Christmas presents were bags of wild bird seed.
To her family she was the glue – our everything. She taught us how to love one another and to be of service to our fellow man. Her love language was serving others and cooking. To quote a granddaughter, “It does not taste like Grandma's” and we surely will hear that for many years to come. She welcomed all into her home.
Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Kirgan Funeral Home in Barry.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Kirgan Funeral Home in Barry.
Burial will be in Shearer Cemetery in New Canton.
Memorials may be given in her honor of servant hood to Western Community Unit School District #12, for the Buddy Backpack program.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Mary Jo Phillips, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
19
Jan
940 Greene Street
Barry, IL 62312
Service
20
Jan
940 Greene Street
Barry, IL 62312
Cemetery Details
Location
-
New Canton, IL 62356
Western Community Unit School District #12, for the Buddy Backpack program
