Flora M. Phillips
Flora Marie (Ragsdale) Phillips was born, at home, on a snowy November 15, 1926 and passed away peacefully in Springfield, MO on October 26, 2023. Flora’s journey was marked by a deep commitment to her faith and family.
On April 15, 1944, Flora entered into matrimony with William Harold Phillips, embarking on a 62-year marriage that was marked by unwavering love and mutual support.
Flora’s passion for education helped her to be a valuable mentor for many students throughout the years. For a period of time, she served as a one-room school teacher in rural Marshfield. That same passion extended for 29 years as a teacher’s aide and bus driver at Sunrise State School.
Flora didn’t shy away from hard work. She and Harold were active farmers of a beef and dairy farm for almost half a century. Their bountiful garden was a testament to their hard work. Flora’s many hours spent canning vegetables was a true labor of love. In addition to their farming pursuits, they were active members of two different Saddle Clubs, enjoying memorable trail rides near Ava (Gladetop Trail was a favorite) and various parts of southern Missouri.
Flora possessed a rare talent for sewing, creating beautiful dresses and clothing for her grandchildren throughout their childhoods. Her culinary talent was legendary, with homemade rolls being a family favorite. Flora was well known for her pie making ability. In fact, she would regularly make two pies per day when her her sons were at home. Her love for her family was immeasurable, and she found joy in preparing meals for them, creating cherished moments around the dinner table.
Flora was a member of the Marshfield Christian Church for 75 years. There, she served as the financial secretary for many years and actively participated in Christian Women Fellowship (CWF). Even after the age of 90, Flora volunteered for the Bread of Life ministry. She and Harold attended Sunday school regularly and she always read her lesson each week before class. Her unwavering faith was a guiding light in her life.
Flora is now reunited in eternity with her beloved husband Harold, as well as her sons, William Jr. and Roger Phillips, and grandson, William Phillips, her parents, Ernest and Leta Ragsdale and siblings: Virgil Ragsdale, Leota Davis, Nadine Rader and Kenneth Ragsdale. Her memory lives on in her surviving son, Darold Phillips (Helen), and her four grandchildren: Sarah Younger (Darian), Martha Marlin (Kelby), Emilie Phillips (Trich), and Jennifer Seiwert (Keith). She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Carter Younger, Landon Younger, Risdon Marlin, Cora Marlin, Quentin Marlin, Paxton Seiwert, and Owen Seiwert.
Flora's life was a testament to love, devotion, and faith. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Marshfield Christian Church, under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Thursday in the church.
The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to Marshfield Christian Church or Pleasant Hill Cemetery in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.