Barbara Lee Phillips

Barbara Lee Phillips, 84, of Bentonville, Ark., died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at her home in Bentonville. She was born on May 9, 1930, in Darby, Iowa, to Earl and Ruth Espy. Her early school years were spent at Darby School until 1938 when the family moved to Centerville, Iowa, where she completed elementary, junior high and high school, graduating from Centerville High School in 1947. She began work at Centerville National Bank immediately following high school graduation. She married Homer Phillips on Jan. 18, 1948, and to this union four children were born. She worked in various capacities during her marriage as bookkeeper, factory worker and waitress. In 1968, she started college, graduating from Centerville Junior College in 1970 and Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville in 1971, completing four years of college in three, with a bachelor of science in elementary education. She started to teach in Seymour Community School District in August 1971 and retired in May 1995. She taught in fifth, fourth and second grades, and the last nine years taught elementary special education. She was very active in the Seymour Education and the Iowa State Education associations during those years, holding offices in both. Also she was a member and officer of Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Society for many years. She was a member and officer of American Association of University Women in both Centerville and Bella Vista, Ark. One of the highlights of her life was singing for several years with "Friends in Christ," a group of Christian women who sang in many of the churches in Centerville. Another was serving on the board of outreach of Bella Vista Community Church for three years, being the chairman her last year of service. She spent many years singing as soloist, choir member and song leader in the Dale Church, First Baptist Church of Centerville and Bella Vista Community Church. Music was an important part of her life. After retirement in 1995, she and Homer moved to Bella Vista, Ark., and he built their dream home. She was a substitute teacher in the Bentonville and Gravette school districts, an active member of Lions Club and Bella Vista Community Church, serving on various boards and offices in each. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Cooper Elementary School and the Bella Vista Police Department. She and Homer were married 66 years. She is survived by her husband Homer; four children and spouses, Kelly and Jan Phillips of North Webster, Ind., Kerry Phillips of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kay and Sonny Crabb of Bella Vista, Ark., and Kyle and Roxie Phillips of Altoona, Iowa; six grandchildren and spouses; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Scott of Seymour, Iowa; a brother and spouse, Rodger and Paula Rae Espy of Burlington; nieces and nephews and spouses. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.