Elaine M. Phillips

Elaine Marion Ferguson was born to Mary (Behrens) Ferguson and Glenn Ferguson on April 5, 1923 in rural Webster, Nebraska on her family farm. She was the first of two children. Elaine’s artistic nature and natural creativity was evident from her very early years. She drew constantly, even on her school papers. She attended Webster rural schools through 8th grade, but then elected to live with relatives in near-by Fremont, Nebraska so she could attend a larger high school and of course, take art classes. She graduated in 1941 from Fremont High School. She then attended the Art Institute of Chicago for one semester and graduated with a BA degree in Art Education from Midland College, Fremont, Nebraska, in 1945. Shortly after graduation she obtained a teaching position at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. Here she met Doran Phillips, a returning Army veteran and college student. They were married on August 17, 1947. Two children were born to Elaine and Doran, Daria Lee and Mark Stephen. The family lived in Nebraska and Kansas eventually settling in their beloved adopted state of Oklahoma. In the 1960’s Elaine became involved in the budding Republican party. She held several local and state offices and eventually ran for Commissioner of Charities and Corrections (1966). She was the first female Warr Acres city council woman and was a major driving force in obtaining federal funds and the building of the Warr Acres Branch Library. She also served on the Oklahoma State Library Board and on the Commission for the Status of Women. Elaine loved her family and her God. Faith was important to her. Her art work and creativity were her joy and solace. She was known as a terrific cook and hostess. She was a great conversationalist and made people feel at ease. Elaine loved all kinds of crafts. She excelled in everything she put her hands to. She loved remodeling projects, sewing, needle-point or making something beautiful out of something broken or old. She loved her grandchildren. Aleisha was a special joy as her only granddaughter. Her grandsons, David, Jacob, and Daniel made her laugh. She lived independently in her home in Warr Acres for 52 years until she was 90 years of age. In recent years she was a resident of Bellevue Health Center. She died peacefully the evening of April 21, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother LeRoy and his wife Delores and her son, Mark. She is survived by her daughter, Daria Bossman and her husband Bill Bossman along with grandsons David (Dottie), Jacob (Carmen) and Daniel Bossman; great granddaughters, Claire, Emily, Maya and Isobel. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Ilene Phillips and granddaughter, Aleisha Phillips, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private family funeral was held on Monday, April 30 at Guardian Funeral Home in Warr Acres with interment following at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery where she was laid to rest next to her husband, Doran. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the family for the purchase of memorial artwork for the Warr Acres and State libraries. Also memorials can be sent to the Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene (4400 NW Expressway, OKC 73116)