Judith Lorene Phillips

Judith Lorene McMillin Phillips passed away on November 30, 2022 at the age of 86. She was born prematurely in Mecca, IN on a snowy, cold, March day. Her mother said the sun came out and created an illusion of sparkling crystals on the ground, which might explain her life-long love of all things sparkly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Bobby G. Phillips; and parents, Charles E. McMillin & Ethel L. Christie. She is survived two adult children, James R. Phillips of Biloxi, MS and Christie L. Phillips Veasey (Eric) of Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Kaylee J. Nelson of Saraland, AL, Jacob W. Nelson of Mobile, AL, Alex K. Veasey of Andalusia, AL, and Amber Veasey Ellis of Fairhope, AL; great-granddaughter, Zoey A. Seals of Saraland, AL; only sibling, Marilyn S. McMillin Lambert (James) of Sebastian, FL; nephew, Robert J. Lambert of Tampa, FL; niece, Susan A. Lambert Askew of Conway, NC; other relatives and friends. She spent her childhood & youth in Rockville, Parke County, IN, moving to Mobile with Bobby to start a life together after her graduation. She embraced Mobile as home, but missed Parke County's covered bridges & autumn colors from the sugar maples. She was a founding member of the T.O.P.S. Satsuma chapter, earning a 20-year pin for maintaining her weight loss. Writing was a passion for her. She created & wrote the weekly North Mobile County community column, "Northern Lights," and wrote feature articles for the Mobile Press-Register in the 70-80s. She was an avid quilter, founding member, and past president of the Azalea City Quilters Guild as well as a Past Regent of the Tristan deLuna Chapter NSDAR. She volunteered at the Mobile Library Genealogy branch helping others explore their roots, sharing stories, and continuing her family research. She valued education and learning at every opportunity, instilling a joy of learning in her descendants. No quilt was orphaned if she ran across it in a yard sale. It would be cleaned, repaired, and passed on to others. Her happy places were reading, quilting with her animals alongside her at night, or out among friends who shared her many interests. She enjoyed watching the wild birds she fed - the squirrels, not so much. The sight of a cardinal will be a reminder of her spirit to anyone who loved her. Visitation will be held on December 6, 2022 from 1-2 PM at Serenity Funeral Home, followed by graveside service at 2 PM at Serenity Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please donate to either: Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, 6077 Main St, Grant, AL 35747 or Penelope House, P.O. Box 9127, Mobile, AL 36691

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Judith Lorene Phillips

March 5, 1936 - November 30, 2022