Dates
Creta C. Phillips, 79 years young, passed away at home on the morning of February 10, 2024.
She was born Creta C. Woodward, on July 4, 1944 (guess that's why she was such a firecracker). She was born in Salem, Illinois to Willard Woodward and Edra McClanahan. She married Kenneth L. Phillips and they had two children; Traci Phillips and Michael Phillips. Creta grew up in San Angelo, and attended Lake View High School. She worked in several fields related to construction and the electrical industry. She loved to remodel and flip houses. She also helped her dad build Beacon Baptist Church on Mercedes Ave. Her last career move was attending barber school, even though she cut, colored, and permed the hair of most of the family. She loved it. She loved her co-workers and clientele, which became lifelong friends. After a long and successful career, she had to retire due to health reasons. Our mother was one of the strongest women we could ever know. She overcame several medical emergencies over the last decade, but "in true Creta fashion", she kept pushing forward and rebounding. She was on dialysis for the last two years. She didn't like it by any means, but she would say it was something she had "to do to stay alive". She did it with so much grace and perseverance, including her last day of dialysis (the day before she passed).
She is proceeded in death by her parents, siblings Karyon (Bill) Clark, LaDonna (Wayne) Phillips, Eldon "Woody" Woodward.
She is survived by a daughter, Traci Phillips of San Angelo, and a son Michael Phillips and wife Jen of Des Moines, Washington; her grandchildren, Cameron Buccieri of Warsaw, Illinois; Thyme Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia; and Cole Phillips of San Angelo; a sister, Glenda Whitlock King of San Angelo; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by special friends, Marilyn Hartman, Linda Shoemaker, Sherry Odell, Chris Zapata, James Mata, and Susan Westenbroek; special friends from Christian Village Apartments, Anthony, Judy, Becky, and so many other residents (sorry to leave anyone out!), as well as the staff.A special thank you to Anthony, one of her best friends. If it hadn't been for him, she would not have done as well as she did the last year. Christian Village was truly a blessing to us, especially last year. She had two fantastic helpers, Emma and Emily, which she cared about so very much. Her lunch friends, Barbara Wright and Nancy Harris.
She would be upset if we left Charlie out; he was one of her favorite fur friends. She always had a treat for him, and he always looked for her expecting a treat. We know there are so many people that loved her, and we wish we could name each of you on here, but you know who you are and so do we.
We are planning to hold a memorial at a later date.
Thank you, Lord, for giving the family so many extra years with her.