December 20, 1937 – May 24, 2013 In Loving Memory.
East Brewton, AL

Marilyn L. Phillips (nee Kelly)

Age 75, of East Brewton, AL. Born December 20, 1937 in New York City, Marilyn L. Phillips (nee Kelly) found peace on May 24, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer, in her home surrounded by the love of her daughter Susan, granddaughter Jenny, and ever-present and precious cats. Preceded in death by her parents Marion and James Kelly of New York, NY, sister Irene Catherine Kelly, nephew and niece Donald and Krys Kelly, and brother-in-law Carl Bauman, of Milwaukee, WI.

Marilyn is survived by her four loving daughters, Laura Johnson (Hurley) and Catherine Phillips of Shelbina, MO, Susan Farrow of Baltimore, MD, and Christine Thompson (Robert) of Cross Hill, SC; and by her cherished best-friend for 50 years, Shirley Chandler of East Brewton, AL, who worked tirelessly and lovingly to comfort and care for Marilyn in her last days on earth.

Marilyn is further survived by her nine beloved grandchildren Ryan Johnson (Claire), Jenny Ballard, Julia Farrow (Ryan Mercer), Kelly Farrow, Kenneth Feldman, Paul Albert, Chrystal Boehme, Emily James, Heather Johnson, and Edward Campbell III; eight great-grandchildren Xander, Caeden, Roman, Kyser, and Angel Johnson, Angela Lombardi, Aiden Johnson, and Jasmine Campbell; dear sister and brother Dolores Bauman (nee Kelly) and James Kelly (La Ree); beloved cats Lucy, Jasmine, Mikey, Rasputin, and Harriet; nieces and nephews Laura Bauman, Adrienne Houck (Theodore III), Carl Bauman (Dawn), James and Sean Kelly, and Julie Larson; and other relatives and friends.

Marilyn served in the US Navy, and had a long and varied career with the US Government serving in the US Postal Service, Border Patrol, and Social Security Administration.

Marilyn was devoted to her family, strong-willed, intelligent, resourceful, and selfless. She addressed life’s challenges with resilience and strength, and always did things her own special way. She was an enthusiastic, spontaneous, and frequent cross-country road-tripper; she enjoyed genealogy research and casinos, and loved animals, especially cats. Till the end, Marilyn generously sacrificed for her loved ones. In her death, she leaves a legacy of love, for generations to come.

According to her wishes, no funeral service will be held. A private memorial service and celebration of her life will be held in Shelbina, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Escambia County to support the sheltering facility Marilyn helped to establish are much appreciated. (Humane Society of Escambia County, 27330 Hwy. 31 Flomaton, AL 36441, http://www.petango.com/humanesocietyescambia)

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Cremation arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory of Daphne, AL.