Wilma Bunnell Phillips

Wilma Bunnell Phillips, 85, passed peacefully into the presence of Christ on April 30, 2014. She was born Dec. 27, 1928, to Joseph Elmer and Myrtle Childress Bunnell. She graduated from Jacksboro High School and was working for the gas company when she met Robert “Rhody” Phillips, who had come to town to oversee drilling on her uncle’s property. After a short courtship, he asked her if she would like to “fix lunches for a driller,” and they were married on Feb. 2, 1952.
Wilma Bunnell Phillips, 85, passed peacefully into the presence of Christ on April 30, 2014.
Although the couple traveled and relocated frequently, they settled in Farmington, N.M. During this time, they enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, riding horses, and taking nieces and nephews to the Dairy Queen for ice cream. Near the end of this time, their only child, Patricia Ann, was born.
After moving back to Texas in 1966, they made their home in Mineral Wells, where Mrs. Phillips lived until her illness in 2009. She was successful in insurance and real estate, earning her broker’s license in 1972. When her husband helped to organize Northridge Oil in the late 1970s she stepped in to serve as office manager until her retirement.
Above all, she was a woman of faith.  She was a member of First Baptist Church Mineral Wells, where she served various roles in the Friendship Sunday School Class. Writing poetry was another means of ministry for her, and during quiet moments, she loved to sing hymns and play the piano. 
Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Tricia Tuma, of Weatherford; son-in-law, Mike Tuma, of Weatherford; granddaughter, Olivia Tuma, of Weatherford; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Adcock, of Albuquerque, N.M.; brothers-in-law, Harold G. Phillips, of Mineral Wells, Jessie W. Phillips of Detroit, Mich., and Dr. John Crawford and wife, Kathryn, of Arkadelphia, Ark.; as well as nephews, nieces and friends too numerous to name.
Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her two brothers, Monroe and Elvis Bunnell. The family suggests a contribution in her memory to the Activity Fund at Autumn Hill Manor or to the children/youth fund at Central Christian Church, both in Weatherford.
The family would like to thank Dr. Greg Swartz for securing two more years of life for Mrs. Phillips as well as IntegraCare Hospice for their attentiveness during her final days. Finally, they would like to express their deep gratitude to the management, staff and residents at Autumn Hill Manor for extending her family and giving Wilma a place to call home.
 


The family will receive visitors from 4:00 until 6:00 on Sunday, May 4 at Galbreith- Pickard Chapel in Weatherford. Services will be 10:00 am on Monday, May 5 at First Baptist Church Mineral Wells, TX, Dr. Mark Bumpus officiating and internment at Oakwood Cemetery, Jacksboro, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Activity Fund at Autumn Hill Manor or to the children/youth fund at Central Christian Church, both in Weatherford.