Maxine Phillips

February 24, 1935-December 10, 2021

Heaven’s music grew even more beautiful on Friday, December 10, 2021 as Maxine Phillips, 86, of Mount Ida began accompanying the angels on piano.

Maxine was born February 24, 1935 to George and Pearl Poole. After graduating from high school, she attended the Draughon School of Business in Little Rock where she was an exemplary student. She married her best friend, Paul Don Phillips, on April 11, 1954. Theirs was a Christ-centered marriage and home where they raised sons: Don (Lori), Mark (Debbie), Les (Karen), and daughter: Karen Pilcher (Keith). While her children were growing up, Maxine shared her love of music with them through piano lessons. She did the same with many of the area’s children. She also worked at the Indianapolis Glove Factory in Mount Ida for a number of years. After her children were grown, Maxine continued to share her love of music and of the Lord with the community by playing piano at church, leading the church’s youth choir, and playing for weekly singings at the Mount Ida Civic Center and Montgomery County Nursing Home. Maxine relished time spent with her grandchildren: Sarah Beth, Cody, Bethany Splawn (Andrew), Hayden (Lacy), and Garrett. Weekends with them were filled with home-cooked versions of their favorite dishes, shared stories, and late-night laughs. She also loved her three great-grandsons: Liam and Levi Splawn and Cooper Hayden Phillips, due in March.

Maxine was predeceased by her parents, husband, and brothers, Thurman and Thurston. In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great-children, she is also survived by a large extended family.

Services will be at Joplin Cemetery on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 2 PM with Rev. Dennis Anderson officiating. Maxine’s family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the administrators, nurses, and staff of the Montgomery County Nursing Home who cared for her so skillfully and compassionately the last two and a half years. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com