Elsie May Phillips (95) of Effingham, formerly of Neoga

Elsie May Phillips, 95, Effingham, Illinois, formerly of Neoga, passed away at 2:15 PM Monday, May 24, 2021 in the Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center of Effingham.

She was born January 8, 1926 in Cumberland County, Illinois the daughter of James and Ella (Hatten) Cooper. She married Lawrence Phillips December 17, 1944 in Toledo, Illinois. Mr Phillips Passed away October 30, 1990. Elsie was a retired assembly worker from the General Electric Mattoon Lamp Plant in Mattoon, Illinois. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Neoga and former member Order Of The Eastern Star Toledo, Illinois #231. Elsie enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo and visiting with family and friends.

Mrs Phillips leaves her sons, Robert "Press" Phillips of Neoga, Illinois and James Phillips and Fiancé, Shari Hall of Mason, Illinois; daughters, Louella (Steve) Drum of Neoga, Illinois, Jane (Charles) Amacher of Watson, Illinois and Marie (Mike) Werner of Smyrna, Georgia; brother, Lowell (Alice) Cooper of Philo, Illinois; daughter in law, Paula Phillips of Mahomet, Illinois; seventeen grandchildren; twenty four great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Lawrence Phillips; son, Lawrence Eugene; sister, Lois Masey; brothers, Leslie Cooper, Donald Cooper, Jesse Cooper and Ivan Cooper; two step grandchildren; two daughter in laws, Patty Phillips and Penny Phillips and four sister in laws.

Memorials are suggested to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

As per Elsie’s wishes Cremation Rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Elsie’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, June 11, 2021 in the First Christian Church in Neoga, Illinois with Pastors Bryan Drum and Mel Workman officiating. Burial will be in the Long Point Cemetery east of Neoga, Illinois. Swengel - O’Dell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.