Irene Phillips

Uda Irene (Watson) Phillips was born to Ephram A. and Mary Etta Frances (Hawkins) Watson on June 26, 1912 at Eagletown, OK and departed this life in Lawton, OK on August 1, 2012. Irene and her family came from Eastern Oklahoma and made their home south of Walters. She attended Soldier Creek School and eventually Walters High, graduating in 1931. On December 27, 1931, she married Chester Ruben Phillips and they made their home northwest of Walters, raising a daughter and two sons in the New Salem Community where they were engaged in farming. She was a homemaker but was always willing and able to drive the tractor when needed. She also worked 19 years at Comanche County Memorial Hospital as a nurse's aide taking care of the new born babies and helped deliver 3 of her 6 grandkids. They retired from farming and moved to town in 1975. Irene was a member of the Cheerful Workers Extension Club and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, doing ceramics, traveling, cooking for family gatherings and taking care of "old folks" into her mid to upper 80's. She was a longtime member of New Salem Baptist Church, playing the piano. She later joined First Baptist Church in Walters, teaching VBS, cooking for funeral dinners and other occasions, and taking food to the BSU. She made 13 mission trips to Old Mexico, some of which she was in her 80's and was also able to travel to Jerusalem. She moved to The Village at Lawton in 2001 where she enjoyed sharing her Christian testimony. She eventually moved her church membership to Central Baptist Church in Lawton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben in 1982; a brother, Ward Franklin Watson; a sister, Mildred Bull; and a great grandson, Landon Brown. Survivors include a daughter, Janell Spencer of Lawton, OK; 2 sons, Chester Phillips and wife Linda of Geronimo, OK, Jerry Phillips and wife Carla of Walters, OK; a sister, Elizabeth McCammon of Walters; 6 grandchildren and spouses, Kathy Baggett and Mike of Rowlett, TX, Sharon Thompson of Lawton, Craig Phillips of Geronimo, Dawna Schettler and Greg of Sterling, Michelle Muldowney and Tyrone of Lawton, Stephanie Brown and Ryan Dorton of Walters; 13 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.