Mrs. Lanita Ward Phillips

December 16, 1941 - April 10, 2013

Susan Lanita Ward Phillips passed away on the 10th day of April, 2013. She was the daughter of James Morgan and Mary Calhoun Ward. She was born in Thomaston, Georgia on December 16, 1941, and there graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1960. She attended Reinhardt College and in 1965, graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. During her education, she spent a summer in Elberton, Georgia, where she met the local veterinarian, Edward Hickman Phillips. They married two years later upon her graduation from nursing school. Thereafter, they made their home in Elberton, Georgia, where they had three daughters, Amy Elizabeth, Ashley Dianne, and Mary Kelly. Mrs. Phillips was very active in her church and her community. Prior to the birth of her children, she worked as a nurse at Elbert Memorial Hospital, and for the Elbert County Board of Education as a school nurse. Mrs. Phillips was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Elberton, Georgia, serving in the Church choir, the Mary Freeman Sunday School Class, the Altar Guild and many other committees. Mrs. Phillips particularly enjoyed participating in the Covenant Bible Study Group and her close friendships with those members. Mrs. Phillips was also active in the Elbert County Historical Society and the Elbert Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Phillips was known to all as a particularly sweet and giving person, who demonstrated great loyalty to friends and family. Mrs. Phillips is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Edward H. Phillips; daughters, Amy Campbell (Richard), Ashley Purcell (Wade), and Kelly Hunt (Jay); grandchildren, Bill Bond, Anna Purcell, James Hunt, and Emma Hunt; sister, Frances Mann (Charles); brother, Danford Ward (Sylvia); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Memorial Service was held in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Elberton, Georgia on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Interment followed at Elmhurst Cemetery. Hicks Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Mrs. Phillips requested that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Elberton, Georgia for the Altar Guild or building fund, P.O. Box 398, Elberton, Georgia, 30635.