Bonnie Elaine Phillips

She was born Bonnie Elaine Reed on July 23, 1927 in Perrysville, Ohio to parents Walter George Reed and Jennie Leona Cates. Bonnie grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, where she formed lifelong friendships.

At age 18, Bonnie attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio studying business and then worked as a jewelry and handbag buyer at Higbee’s Department Store. With a sense of adventure, she moved far from Ohio to Houston, Texas for a job opportunity and a new life.

Bonnie met her husband Harry Lee Phillips while both were working on Main Street in downtown Houston. Harry was a shoe salesman at a store across the street from Levy Brothers Department Store where Bonnie worked as a buyer. They married in 1952 and were together nearly four decades until his death in 1990.

Bonnie gave birth to two daughters Melanie and Melinda, and the Phillips family moved to Spring in 1970. Bonnie and Harry owned Mr. Phillips Shoes, a women’s shoe business with multiple locations in Houston. She commuted into Houston and managed the business herself when Harry was ill in his final years.

Bonnie’s exuberance and energy filled a room and lifted others up. She had a timeless sense of style, a quick sense of humor, and she was fiercely independent. Into her 80s, she mowed her own lawn, stocked her bird feeder and engaged in a ceaseless battle with her backyard squirrels. She gave up her cherished car keys only after her 90th birthday. Bonnie traveled extensively, visiting locations from coast-to-coast and around the world including China and Europe. She loved musicals and concerts and was an avid Astros and Rockets fan. She was deeply patriotic. Her favorite holiday was the 4th of July.

Foremost throughout her life, Bonnie was a caretaker. She was a devoted eldest sister, helping to raise her younger siblings in childhood and later caring for her sister Margaret through major health challenges. She knitted her far-flung family together with frequent phone conversations and emoji-filled text messages, following every detail in the lives of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Bonnie took immense pride in her role as “Nanny” creating close and lasting bonds with her grandchildren. She spoiled them during sleepovers as children, attended every school event and traveled with them to visit college campuses. Later, she welcomed their spouses and significant others into the family and looked forward to dancing alongside them at Wurstfest every year in New Braunfels.

At the start of the pandemic, Bonnie finally became a great grandmother. She adopted a new name, GiGi, and joyfully connected with her first great granddaughter Birdie, first on FaceTime before holding her in her arms.

Bonnie’s gift for spreading joy extended far beyond her family. For many years, she volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels and knew the life stories of people she served. She had meaningful friendships with countless neighbors in her community in Oak Ridge North and later at The Forum. She never missed a party or a chance to spend time with those she loved. She was adored by everyone she knew.

Bonnie was a dedicated member of Faith United Methodist Church and The Woodlands Methodist Church. She was an active member in Bible Study Fellowship.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry Phillips, sister Margaret Daniels and brother Randell ‘Ned’ Reed. She is survived by sister Darlene Cline, daughter and son-in-law Melanie and Dale Blackburn, daughter and son-in-law Melinda Phillips and Scott Pluim, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Her family invites you to celebrate Bonnie’s life at a memorial service Monday, November 20th at 11am at The Woodlands Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or The Woodlands Methodist Church Foundation.