Wasco Memorial Park-B-19-C

Obituary

 

Obituary for Lilly Jane England Phillips

Lily was born in rural Barry County, Mo, March 10, 1922, the eighth of ten children to George and Minerva (Brock) England. She enjoyed a happy childhood in the beautiful Ozarks. Times were tough during the depression and just as tough during World War II, as five of her seven brothers volunteered to defend the free world. As the war was ending, she became reacquainted with a childhood neighbor, MSgt. Zane Phillips. A romance blossomed and they were married June 1st, 1944 in Siloam Springs, AR.… The following May their first child, Stephanie, was born in Texas, as Zane was mustering out of the Army. Finding a job west, the small family moved to Wasco, CA. More children followed, a daughter who died in 1947 who did not survive infancy, another daughter, Rebecca, in late 1948. Twins, John & Cynthia Jane were born in 1953. A son, Scott, completed the family in 1962. Lily enjoyed her life in Wasco, which at that time, was a transplanted slice of the South and Mid-West, a faithful member of the Church of Christ, her social life revolved around her children and her church. As empty-nesters, the Phillips moved to Red Bluff, Ca, built a new home and enjoyed a decade of their golden years. In 1999, they moved to Tehachapi to be closer to their children. Vital and healthy well into her nineties, mom loved annual trips to her family home and farm in the Ozarks. Although a resident of CA for over seventy years, she and Zane always considered MO their home. In addition to her husband of seventy years, she is survived by four children, Stephanie Reviea and her husband Gene (McFarland), Rebecca Gomes and her husband Gene (Fresno), Cynthia England (Bakersfield) and Scott Phillips (Tehachapi). She is also survived by nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, seven brothers and two sisters, infant daughter, Gari Kathleen and son John. Special thanks to Optimal Hospice for their excellent care of mom during her final days. Services will be held on Tues. May 2nd at 2pm at Peters Funeral Home 1401 7th St, Wasco, Private interment will follow at Wasco Memorial Park Donations may be made to the Mission @ Kern County P.O. Box 2222 Bakersfield, Ca 93305