Ella Phillips

Ella L. Phillips, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Sunday, November 15, 2009 at her home. She was 85 years of age. Ella was born November 28, 1923 at Albion, Oklahoma, Pushmataha County. She was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Cranford and Etta Minerva Odom Cranford. She lived in the Choctaw Nation prior to moving to Lindsey, Oklahoma in 1925. She moved to Ponca City in 1941. She was married to Thomas Tom Phillips on March 12, 1946 in Newkirk and made their first home in Ponca City. Ella was a homemaker and her lifes enjoyment was her grandchildren and always lovingly talked about them. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church, Ponca City. Ella is survived by her two children, Gary Phillips and wife, Beverly, of Ponca City and Jimmy Phillips of Midwest City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Gary Phillips, Gayla Cantrell Phillips, Christy Whiles, Kelli Sample and Kimberly Lewczak; eight great grandchildren, Christopher, Dylan, Jaden, Jeremy, Steven, Justin, Alexis and Jory; two brothers, Leonard Cranford and wife, Macie, and Arley Cranford, all of Ponca City; one sister, Earline Walters and husband, Don, also of Ponca City; 36 nieces and nephews, other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; five sisters, Gracie McGinty, Icie Malone, Gladys Rogers, Dixie Autterson, and Nevada Freeman; four brothers, Vortis Cranford, Artus Cranford, Billy Cranford and Bobby Cranford; one grandson-in-law, Steven Whiles. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with Second Baptist Church Pastor, Rev. Ken Newport presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.