Martha Lee Phillips

Martha Lee "Tiny" Phillips was born to Wendell Terrell Phillips, Sr. and Elizabeth Zellmer Davis Phillips on May 6, 1933, in Murphy, Oklahoma. Martha attended Attucks High School in Vinita, Oklahoma. in 1951 Martha was united in holy matrimony to Grady Franklin Downing. Martha and Grady initially made their home in Vinita, Oklahoma prior to moving to Oklahoma City. To this union they raised four children, Kenneth Wayne Downing, Terry Lynn Downing, Yolanda Kay Downing and Carmaletta Ann Downing.

Martha joined the Grant Chapel AME Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. On April 17, 1968 was initiated into the Deborah Chapter Number 169, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, in the Jurisdiction of Oklahoma.

In 1958 Martha began working at Taylor's Hospital, a small rural hospital outside of Vinita, Oklahoma for three years where she worked in Emergency and Delivery. Martha decided to transition her nursing career to Eastern State Hospital where she worked as a charge nurse and medicine nurse from 1961 until 1968. Martha left the nursing career when she moved to Oklahoma City. After a stent of working in retail computer assembly, and food service Martha decided to utilize the other life skills she had gained from her mother and started her own sewing and upholstery business when she turned her garage into a shop.

During Martha's younger years she participated on a bowling league with her son Kenneth. Martha was an active member of her neighborhood association. Martha enjoyed working in her yard, crocheting, bowling, fishing, sitting outside talking to her neighbors, watching the Oklahoma City Thunder and OU Sooners, doing puzzles, playing Spades , and Genealogy. Martha was known as Grandma to her oldest grandchildren and Nanny to the younger ones.

Martha passed from this life at home on Monday, November 28, 2022, surrounded by family and love. She was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, her Brothers, Wendell Jr., and Charles "Chuck", her Sisters Okla Mae Hicks, Helen Taylor, Carlene Stokes, and Betty Jo Twitty, one son Terry Lynn Downing, one grandson Kendrick Rosean Downing and her daughter-in-law Vanessa Downing.

Matha is survived by her sibling: Yvonne Landrum and Jean Spires of Wichita, KS; Clarence Phillips of Springfield, MO; and Patricia Fox of Los Angeles, CA. One son Kenneth Wayne Downing of Wichita, KS. Two daughters, Yolanda Kay Downing and Carmealetta Ann Downing of Oklahoma City, One daughter-in-law, Edwina V. Johnson of Oklahoma City. A host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Dear Friends who remain to celebrate her life.

A funeral service for Martha will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eisenhourfuneralhome.com for the Phillips family.