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Mrs. Ella Mae Leonard Phillips, 91, of Jericho Church Road, Mocksville, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 at Davie Medical Center in Advance.

She was born on Jan. 25, 1931 in Davie County to the late Clyde Cecil and Mary Elizabeth Harbin Leonard.

Ella graduated from Mocksville High School and went to work for Hanes in Winston Salem. After meeting her husband, she worked until he got his degree from Guilford College. His career took them many places. She became a homemaker and raised three children.

In retirement, they returned to Mocksville in the 1990s. Ella became involved with the Senior Center, VFW women’s auxiliary, and was a member at Jericho Church of Christ. She was also involved with her class reunions, which wasn’t surprising since she had been class president twice! Ella was very organized and even at 92, managed all her finances balancing the checkbook to the penny every month. Remarkably, her excellent handwriting was still present in her 90s. She enjoyed working in her garden and grew beautiful flowers every year.

Ella was soft spoken, but strong and principled. She was a tremendous role model for our family, loved and respected by all. She was our rock, the center of our family. Heaven gained a good one, but she will be missed greatly by all who were blessed to have known her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband of 65 years, Thomas Edward Phillips Sr.; her sister, Dora Elizabeth Leonard; and 2 brothers, James Cecil Leonard and Brady Lee Leonard.

Survivors include: 3 children, Thomas Edward Phillips Jr. of Mocksville, Dr. Barry David Phillips (Dr. Susan Phillips) of Florida, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips of Mocksville; 4 grandchildren, Richard Phillips, Allison Adler (Ryan), David Phillips, and Abby Phillips; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Dr. Tom Torpy officiating. The family will receive  friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Eaton Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered for: Jericho Church of Christ, PO Box 354, Mocksville, NC 27028; or to Davie Senior Center, 278 Meroney St., Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.