Nelpha Rintha Phillips

Nelpha Rintha (Warren) Phillips, age 73, of 2224 West Line Rd in Centralia passed away Monday, August 13 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO as a result of an injury incurred in an accident. Born in Freeburg, Illinois, Nelpha was the daughter of Marie (McMeen) and Cecil Warren. She grew up near the Robinett area south of Odin. She attended the Love one room school and graduated from Centralia High School in 1957. She married Jimmy L. Phillips of rural Centralia June 29, 1958, and they raised their family as part of the Selmaville community in the oilfield southwest of Salem. Nelpha worked a few years for Limerick Financial in Centralia and also worked for National Magazine Mailers in Salem. For many years she worked for Selmaville School as a bus driver and bookkeeper. Nelpha was an accomplished cook and loved to read, especially recipe books. She enjoyed tending to her plants and quilting. Her main purpose in life was to take care of others. She was a devoted member at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where she shared the love of Christ with many. She will be missed by all who were blessed by her friendship. Survivors include: husband, Jimmy of Centralia; daughter Jana Williams and husband Scott of Salem; three sons: Kevin and wife Denia of Centralia, Sam and wife Becky, and Rob and wife Julie all of Salem; ten grandchildren: Eric and Amy Schmidt and fiance Jon Handegan and Jillin Williams of Salem; Kyle Wooters of Sandoval; Jay and wife, Kimmy, Phillips of Dix; Kristin and Maddie Phillips of Centralia; and Clancey, Chloee and Creedon Phillips, also of Salem; one great-grandchild, Dylan Phillips of Centralia; and an extended family member, Karlee Marcum of Salem. Also surviving are three sisters: Neva McPherson and husband Wesley of Moultrie, GA; Tressa Branch and husband Bill of Centralia; and Linda Harvey and husband Mike of St. Peters, MO; and one sister-in-law, Edith Warren of Orlando, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers and sisters-in-law: Charles and Gloria Warren, Cecil Warren, Jr., Wilford and Peggy Warren, and Marshall Warren. Funeral Services for Nelpha R. Phillips will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in rural Centralia. Friends may call Wednesday Evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday Morning. Memorials can be made to the Zion Hill Cemetery or Carpenters for Christ and will be received at the funeral home. Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Nelpha Rintha Phillips

June 8, 1939 - August 13, 2012