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In Loving Memory of Lorene LaVonne Phillips, a beloved Wife and Mother. She was born to Edward and Doine Wilson on February 9,1944, in Woodward, Oklahoma. She passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at 80 years old. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones, who will forever treasure her memory and the remarkable legacy she leaves behind. Lorene was a church-going woman her entire life, faithful to the house of the Lord, where she served by playing instruments like the piano and the accordion. While at the Alva Assembly of God, she met the love of her life, Merlin Ray Phillips, in 1958, and from that point on, they were locked in step for the next 60 years.
Being an educated woman, she graduated from Alva High School, and continued her educational journey at Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma, where she received her Associate's Degree in Business. After graduation, she married Merlin in 1964, and spent her life working in local rural banks for 26 years. Then, she became the marketing director for Chick-fil-A for the next 10 years, staying right next to her husband the entire time. Her family, growing in size, welcomed two boys who had an affinity for trouble: Marty Ray Phillips and Justin Ray Phillips. After a couple of whoopins, these boys grew up with their mother's values of loving God, working hard, and being honest. The core of these values, however, was that of the church. Throughout Lorene's life, she knew that God was the answer to any problem that came her way, and in that, she found herself getting involved in whatever church she was a part of. Of all the words that could possibly describe Lorene, the one thing everyone knew about her work in the church was that she was helpful but humble. Finding herself in the Women's Ministry, greeting guests and visitors, playing music, and being the pastor's very good friend, she always helped people find a place in that community, whether in Colorado, Kansas, or Oklahoma. Lorene was an adventurer, and she and Merlin sped off in the RV to South Texas as much as possible. The RV wasn’t her only way to travel, though, as she loved being in the boat as much as possible too. Whenever she saw the boat in front of her house, she wanted to go for a boat ride. Her favorite saying was, “move it or lose it!”
The miracle of her life is that she was always moving, no matter her age. She brought adventure, hospitality, and enormous love into this life. If you ever met with Lorene, you couldn’t help but see how she radiated life. Lorene is survived by her husband: Merlin Phillips of Tecumseh, OK, and their children: Marty Phillips and his wife, Cindy of Joplin, Missouri; Justin Phillips and his wife, Angie of Tecumseh, OK. Grandchildren: Kimmy Jencks and husband Zack from Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Dakota Philips of Joplin, Missouri. Ethan Phillips of Tecumseh, OK; and Macy Phillips of Salem, OR. Great-Grandchildren: Harmony, Seraphine, and Autumn Jencks from Alamogordo, New Mexico. In-laws: Joe Jenson of Buffalo, Missouri; Gilbert Phillips and Pam of Perry, OK; and Betty Mantz and Roger of Alva, OK. Lorene was preceded in death by Edward and Doine Wilson of Alva, OK; sibling: Velma Jenson of Buffalo, Missouri; In-Laws: Coy and Bessie Phillips of Alva, OK, Leslie Phillips of Enid, OK, Barb Phillips of Enid, OK, and Joretta Doctor of Alva, OK.
A service celebrating her life will be held on January 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Grace Community Church in Tecumseh, Oklahoma with Reverend Lonnie Hurst and Reverend Gary Jensen officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Friends and family are invited to share stories and celebrate a life well-lived in Christ's service. Public visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2025 with family gathering to greet friends and family from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Cooper Funeral Home.
We would like to extend our appreciation to Centric Home Hospice and Wound Care of Shawnee for their compassionate and caring hearts towards the family, and most importantly, Lorene.
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