(From Parker Mortuary)Shirley Faye Phillips, 88, of Webb City, Missouri, made her heavenly journey on April 12, 2026, after an extended illness.
She was born on April 18, 1937, in Parsons, Kansas, to the late Roy Yeubanks and Gladys Scannel Yeubanks. Shirley grew up with a strong sense of family and faith that would remain at the center of her life. She was a 1955 graduate of Cherryvale High School and carried the values of hard work, kindness, and perseverance with her throughout her years.
Shirley devoted many years of service to others through her work and community involvement. She worked for 10 years at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Olathe, Kansas, where she served as a secretary. She later spent 24 years as a Rural Carrier for the United States Postal Service in Olathe, Kansas, and Lamar, Missouri. In each role, she was known for her dependability, her warm spirit, and the care she showed to those around her.
A faithful Christian, Shirley was a longtime member of the Assemblies of God, where she and her husband, Benny, served faithfully in many positions within the church body. Her life reflected her deep faith, and she found joy in serving others and being part of her church family. She also volunteered in many organizations, including the Porter Community House in Joplin, served on the election board for both Jasper and Newton Counties and Girl Scout leader for 8 years. Shirley believed in giving her time and energy to the places and people that mattered to her.
She loved being outdoors, going to rummage sales, and camping with her family. These simple pleasures brought her great happiness, especially when shared with the people she loved most. Shirley was known as a loving, adventurous, and faith-filled woman whose presence brought comfort and encouragement to those around her. Her family and friends will remember her for her steady strength, her generous heart, a joyful spirit and the many hats she would wear each Sunday to church.
She is survived by her son, Kevin Phillips and his wife Kathy of Lenexa, Kansas; her daughters, Shirlene Osburn and her husband Scott of Joplin, Missouri, and Patti Zahn of Takoma Park, Maryland; her brother, Gary Yeubanks and his wife Ruth of El Dorado, Kansas; and her daughter-in-law, Darla Phillips of Kansas City, Kansas. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Chelsey Gartner and her husband Gage, Morgan Osburn, Jason Phillips, Heather Gravatt and Ronnie Pursley, Jr., Megan Roark, Amanda Plymire and her husband Derek, Allison San Juan and her husband Steve, Matthew Spann and his wife Laura, and Zach Zahn. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, Ashlee and Chris Moeller, Austin, Jacy, Kaiden, Skyler, Seth, Emery, Kaison, Zailey, Lane, and Lacey, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Braylee, Braxton, Brayton, and Blayklee.
A faithful Christian, Shirley was a longtime member of the Assemblies of God, where she and her husband, Benny, served faithfully in many positions within the church body. Her life reflected her deep faith, and she found joy in serving others and being part of her church family. She also volunteered in many organizations, including the Porter Community House in Joplin, served on the election board for both Jasper and Newton Counties and Girl Scout leader for 8 years. Shirley believed in giving her time and energy to the places and people that mattered to her.
She loved being outdoors, going to rummage sales, and camping with her family. These simple pleasures brought her great happiness, especially when shared with the people she loved most. Shirley was known as a loving, adventurous, and faith-filled woman whose presence brought comfort and encouragement to those around her. Her family and friends will remember her for her steady strength, her generous heart, a joyful spirit and the many hats she would wear each Sunday to church.
She is survived by her son, Kevin Phillips and his wife Kathy of Lenexa, Kansas; her daughters, Shirlene Osburn and her husband Scott of Joplin, Missouri, and Patti Zahn of Takoma Park, Maryland; her brother, Gary Yeubanks and his wife Ruth of El Dorado, Kansas; and her daughter-in-law, Darla Phillips of Kansas City, Kansas. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Chelsey Gartner and her husband Gage, Morgan Osburn, Jason Phillips, Heather Gravatt and Ronnie Pursley, Jr., Megan Roark, Amanda Plymire and her husband Derek, Allison San Juan and her husband Steve, Matthew Spann and his wife Laura, and Zach Zahn. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, Ashlee and Chris Moeller, Austin, Jacy, Kaiden, Skyler, Seth, Emery, Kaison, Zailey, Lane, and Lacey, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Braylee, Braxton, Brayton, and Blayklee.
Other than her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Benny who passed away in July of 2025 after nearly 70 years together. Additionally, their son, Gaylen Phillips; brothers, Allen and Jimmy Yeubanks and a sister, Leta K. Jones.
Funeral services will be held at Faith Assembly of God in Joplin, Missouri on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. up to service time. Burial will take place later that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dennis, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the “Mission’s Fund” at Faith Assembly of God, in care of the mortuary.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
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