Obituary of Eldessa Powers Phillips

Mrs. Mary Eldessa Powers Phillips, a resident of Skipperville, died Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oakview Manor Healthcare Facility. She was 89 years old. Funeral services for Mrs. Phillips will be 3:00 P. M. Sunday, May 25, 2025, from Skipperville Methodist Church with Reverend Gail Joyner officiating. Interment will follow in Skipperville Community Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Sunday from 2:00 P.M. until service time. Mrs. Phillips was born January 23, 1936 in Dale County, Alabama to the late Glenn Powers and Lois Andrews Powers. She was a life-long resident of Dale County where she worked as Lunchroom Supervisor at G. W. Long School for twenty-five years and retired in 1997. Mrs. Phillips was a very active member of Skipperville Methodist Church where she served in various positions including Sunday School Teacher and Chairman of Trustees when the new sanctuary was renovated. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Emily Lois Maheu; one brother, John Foster Powers; her grandson, Robert Bailey “Rob” Camarata; great granddaughter, Allison Grace Camarata; and great grandson, Jack Martin. Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Ralph Phillips of Skipperville; two daughters, Pam Martin (JP) of Wetumpka, Alabama and JoAnn Camarata (Bill) of Skipperville; one son, Glenn Phillips (Carol) of Dothan; two sisters, Cathy Williams (Fred) of Midland City and Sharon Enfinger of Alabaster, Alabama; one brother, Stanford Powers (Sherrie) of Ewell; grandchildren, Jason Martin (Meredith), Katie Davis (Hamp), Ryan Phillips (Leigh), Tyler Phillips (Kelsi), Megan Phillips and Bill Camarata. Nine great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to thank Kathy Johnson and Community Hospice along with the staff of Oakview Manor for their loving care. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to Skipperville Community Cemetery, P. O. Box 214, Skipperville, Alabama 36374; or to the Skipperville Methodist Church Building Fund, 5189 AL Hwy 105, Skipperville, Alabama 36374.