Anita Lynn Phillips

On October 10, 1954, Anita Lynn Phillips was born in Tahlequah, OK to Carl and Mazel (Johnson) Phillips. She grew up with two brothers, Mike and Jerry and one sister, Amanda. Anita graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tulsa and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. She worked as a counselor in Tulsa, and as the Executive Direction of Murrow Indian Children’s Home in Muskogee. With a passion for helping others in need, she took a position with Cherokee Nation as a social worker and Manager for many years. It was there that she received her calling to Ministry. She became a Pastor in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) of the United Methodist Church. She earned her Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary. She served the Lord as a Pastor and District Superintendent for OIMC before finally accepting a position as Executive Director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church.

After retiring, she was faithful to spending time in God’s word and continued to study, reading through her extensive book collection often. When she wasn’t enveloped in her studies, she could be found tending to her beautiful flower gardens and plants or enjoying the company of her grandchildren. Her family and fur babies meant the world to her. She loved when football season came around, always making a point to cheer on the underdog. She was kind, forgiving and never failed to be optimistic despite what obstacle stood before her. A pillar of strength and a matriarch to her family, she knew who she was in Christ and whom to place her trust. On Monday, December 9, 2024, Anita passed from this life onto her eternal home and in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She was 70 years old and leaves a legacy of hope that will carry on in the hearts of all that knew and loved her.

She has gone on to join her parents, Carl and Mazel Phillips and one brother, Jerry Phillips.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Justin Matthew Phillips of Park Hill, OK, one brother, Mike Phillips of Manford, OK and one sister, Amanda Phillips of Park Hill, OK. Also, left to remember her include her seven grandchildren, Jayden Cooper, Ellie Phillips, Parker Phillips, Arianna Phillips, Sophie Phillips, Gavin Patton, and Linnox Phillips as well as two adored great grandchildren, Mila Cooper and Nakobee RomanNose, and a host of friends, loved ones and church family.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.