Vernon Phillips

MORLEY, Mo. -- Vernon Euman Phillips, 81 of Morley died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, at his home, due to complications related to Alzheimer's disease.

He was born Jan. 14, 1926, near Lamar, Ark., to Lee A. and Sylvia Noe Phillips. His family moved to Missouri in 1938 and he attended Randles School.

Phillips was a member of Morley Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon. He was a member of Morley Masonic Lodge more than 50 years. He was a KFVS12 weather watcher many years.

He and Mary Ann Smith were married July 5, 1947, at Morley.

He retired from Texas Eastern Pipeline Co. at Oran, Mo., after working there 37 years.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kathryn Ann (James) Blevins of Chaffee, Mo.; a son, Delbert Earl (Sondra) Phillips of Scott City; five grandchildren, Tom Blevins, Sarah Blevins, Phillip Blevins, Hollie Riley, Heather Scott; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Verlon Phillips of Dexter, Mo.; and a sister; Retta Izola Luttrell of Cordova, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by a son, James David Phillips; five brothers, Vernie, Velmer, Vance, Vick, Vester; and a sister, Ida Arzella Newell.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. Masonic service will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morley Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jim Matthews and Rev. Rodney Davis officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley.

Pallbearers will be Glen Godwin, Jeff Riley, Robert Scott, Tom Blevins, Phillip Blevins and Jimmy Kerber. Deacons of Morley Baptist Church will be honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morley Baptist Church in his memory.