Barbara Jean Phillips of Salem went home to be with the Lord at the age of 91 on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Barbara was born on September 29, 1933, in Colfax, Illinois to John and Veta Myers. After the death of her parents, she was raised by her uncle and aunt, William and Sarah Stroup. She married Jerry L. Phillips on April 5, 1958, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in rural Centralia and he preceded her in death on May 9, 2016.

Barbara was a woman of deep Christian faith and a member of First Baptist Church in Salem. She was a devoted wife, mother, and “Granny B”. Barbara worked as a hairdresser until she married Jerry and became a full-time farm wife. They farmed in Kell and raised their family there. She was famous for her K-Bars which she made for family and church dinners. She and Jerry loved to travel and enjoyed spending the winters in Florida after their retirement. She was dearly loved by all who knew her.

Survivors include children, Connie (Tim) Chapman of Salem, Stephen (Denise) Phillips of Salem and Glenn (Joanne) Phillips of Belgium. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Sarah (Tim) Beadle, Matthew (LaToya) Schroeder, Timothy (Whitney) Chapman, Zachary Phillips, Elizabeth (Michael) Manning, Alex Phillips, Maximilian Phillips, and Olivia Phillips; great grandchildren, Hannah, Kendyl, Leah, Isaac, Micah, Brayden, Baker, Truman, Colette, Myles, Emery, Josephine, and one on the way; along with numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, uncle and aunt, sisters, Julia and May; brothers, Johnny and Raymond; brothers and sisters-in-law; Helen, John, Edith, Vernon “Tag”, Richard, Tom, and Junior.

The family would like to thank long time caregiver, Carol Miller and the staff at Centralia Manor that cared for her so well for the past several years.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at First Baptist Church in Salem on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Andy DeWitt officiating. Burial will follow at the Zion Hill Cemetery in rural Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Zion Hill Cemetery or St. Jude Children’s Hospital and will be received at the church or at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem who is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.