On the morning of October 12, 2016, Evelyn Butler Phillips left this earthly home for a far better one.
On May 21, 1919, Evelyn, the seventh of eleven children was born to Rufus and Arrie Thornton Butler of Fayette County, Ga. At 16 years of age, Evelyn, an extremely pretty girl, was named Miss Fayette County of 1936. This was an honor she looked back on fondly, and it became the source of much talk and fun over the years in the close knit family. On July 3, 1938, she married Silas L. Phillips (S.L.) of Fayette County. He remained the great love of her life until he passed away in 1987.
Evelyn was blessed with two daughters, Irene Ferrell and Joan Scraggs; three grandchildren, Michael (Samantha), Greg (Alicia), Suzanne (Andy); one great-grandson, Sean; two sisters, Jean Mitchell and Charlotte Bray (Lester); son-in-law, Jerry Scraggs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She stayed busy and devoted much love and affection to them all. The brothers and sisters, who lived remarkably long lives, stayed very close over the years. Birthdays were observed at one another’s homes, and there were many parties with good food, laughing, talking and reminiscing. Evelyn enjoyed many, many years of good health until this year. Her great dream was to reach 100 years of age with much hoopla and fun. She had already started inviting people to her party. God had another plan for Evelyn’s life however, since he called her home at the age of 97. She grieved for her daughter, Joan, who preceded her in death in 2015, and she missed all the loved ones who had gone before. We can only picture that reunion occurring now. Her oldest daughter, Irene Ferrell, took loving, devoted care of her Mom for over 10 years.
The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville Chapel. Interment followed the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, College Park, Ga. The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the funeral home.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
