Lillian Dortha May Phillips, the daughter of Ben Dougherty and Ollie May (Lee) Dougherty, was born May 2, 1920, in Ava, and departed this life July 11, 2005, at the age of 85.
Dortha was a resident of Ava, for the past 25 years moving here from Rochelle, Ill. On Oct. 15, 1941, Dortha and Sam Phillips were united in marriage in Arkansas. Dortha was a housewife and a member of the Happy Home Church. She enjoyed her church work, cooking, spending time and taking care of her family and finally to be sure that everyone knew what her thoughts were on any topic and all topics.
Dortha was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Charlotte McMaster, two grand-daughters, one grandson, two great grandchildren.
Dortha is survived by her husband, Sam, of the home, Ava; one daughter, Diana Bingham and husband, Harry, one son, Sammy Phillips and wife, Vickie, all of Ava; one step daughter, Sandra Bowers, Fresno, Calif.; seven grandchildren; three step- grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Leota Erdhal, and one brother, Howard Dougherty and wife, Juanita, all of Ava; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be 2 p.m. today (Thursday, July 14) in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Paul Welch and J. W. O’Neil officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation was 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or to the American Diabetes Association.
