Marilynn Kaye Phillips – Benton, IL

Marilynn Kaye Phillips, 83, passed away February 8th at Helia Healthcare, in Benton, Illinois. She was born on Christmas Day, 1935 in Centralia, Illinois to Ross and Lois Wimberly, of Dix, Illinois.

She graduated from Centralia High School, in 1953. Marilynn married Bennie Campbell in 1954, and they had three children, Randy, Ricky and Christy Campbell. They divorced in 1968. Marilynn married Bob Garren in 1969, and they had one child, Joni Garren. After the death of her husband Bob, in 1999, Marilynn traveled around the country visiting her children and grandchildren. While visiting one of her sons in Texas, she received a phone call from her cousin, B. J. Thompson, about a widower from her church that she wanted her to meet. At that meeting, Marilynn met the love of her life, Richard Phillips, of Benton, Illinois. After dating a few months, Marilynn and Richard married in September, 2001. They both enjoyed spending the winters at their condominium in Mary Ester, Florida, walking the beaches, golfing and dancing. Their main residence was in Benton, Illinois, where they continued their passion for Immanuel Baptist Church, and for their dancing, which they enjoyed three to four times a week, until Marilynn could no longer dance.
Surviving, in addition to her husband Richard Phillips, are sons, Randy Campbell and wife Nita of Amarillo, TX, Rick Campbell and wife Denise of Midland, TX, daughters, Christy Myers and partner Dee Branscomb, of St. Louis, MO and Joni Garren of Mary Ester, FL. Marilynn also is survived by three bonus children, Ward Phillips and wife Kristine of Elkhorn, WI, Vickie Dean of Los Angeles, CA, and Brenda Phillips-Davies and husband Matthew of Buckingham, IL, 8 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, sister Peggy Bode and husband Dale, of Edwardsville, IL, brother Charles Wimberly and wife Brenda, of Mt. Vernon, Il.
A memorial service will be conducted by Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, at 516 N. Main Street, in Benton, IL, with the service following at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Jordan Chapel Cemetery in Dix, Il. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Il.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com