Barbara Madeline Newsom Phillips ("Butch"), 77, of Adel, Georgia, died Sunday, September 4, 2016 surrounded by family. Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 10, 2016. A graveside service was held at Woodlawn City Cemetery in Adel at 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at First Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. with a reception that followed in the church social hall. Dr. Mike Ruffin and Rev. Bill Marlette officiated and Mrs. Linda Meadows provided the eulogy. The family received friends Friday evening from 7:00 until 9:00 at Boone Funeral Home. The church choir sang "Beulah Land"; the congregation sang "How Great Thou Art"; and Sheila Humber sang "It Is Well" and played piano. The Joy Makers Sunday School Class served as honorary pallbearers.

Mrs. Phillips was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 6, 1938 to the late William Joseph and Martha Madeline Livingston Newsom. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and South Georgia College and then moved to Albany, Georgia after marrying Bobby Ross Phillips. When Bobby took a job as coach at Cook High School they relocated to Adel which quickly became "home".

Butch worked for ASCS during tobacco season during the 60s-70s and after her boys were older began working at Cook High School until she retired after 28 years of service. She loved her role at the school and counted many graduates among her friends. She and Bobby were favorite chaperones at all the high school dances! Butch was a member of First Baptist Church and happily served many roles. She
sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was a WMU member and when her boys were young she helped with the youth. Many have expressed that "Miss Butch was instrumental in my faith walk". We are sure she would be so pleased to be remembered this way.

Butch was an avid gardener and all who drove past her home could enjoy the hard work she put in to have a beautiful yard. She was quick to separate her day lilies, gather seeds, or start a cutting to share her plants with others. She always said that she was happiest when working in her yard.

Butch loved many things and many people, but none more than Bobby. She was never happy when they weren't together and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Knowing that they are together again brings us all a lot of comfort.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law: Ross and Susan Phillips and Phil and Jenny Phillips, all of Austin, Texas, grandchildren Michael Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Spencer Phillips, Laura Phillips and Parker Phillips and in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her sister Joanne Newsom Boney of Jacksonville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Butch's memory to the Bobby Ross and Butch Phillips "Trojan Pride" scholarship at Troy University. Contact Kathy Ninas at kninas@troy.edu or at 334-448-5162 for information. Donations may also be made to First Baptist Church in Adel. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.boonefunerals.com.

--Boone Funeral Home is serving the Phillips family.