Shirley Murphy Phillips

Amory— Shirley Murphy Phillips, 60, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at NMMC Gilmore in Amory. Born in Aberdeen on March 11, 1958, she was a daughter of John Ralph and Bessie Joe Fowlkes Murphy.

Shirley attended Becker Schools and graduated from Amory High School. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in nursing from Itawamba Community College and was a graduate of Vaughn’s Beauty College. She also attended Mississippi University for Women. Shirley was a member of Calvary Baptist in Becker, and she also attended Calvary Baptist in Reform.
Throughout her diverse career, Shirley served as a dedicated nurse at Gilmore Memorial Hospital for twenty seven years, where she worked in various different departments, but labor and delivery was her favorite. She also worked with the State Hospital in Tupelo, and was working for NMMC for the last three years. Nursing was her passion, and Shirley cared for her patients as if they were her own family. A breast cancer survivor and a loving nurse, she inspired her patients and carried a love for all people. Shirley touched many lives throughout her career. She was full of life and a servant of God.

Shirley was an avid Mississippi State Bulldog fan and loved those dawgs. In her free time, she enjoyed shopping, talking on the phone, and watching the Hallmark and Home & Garden channel. A true people person, Shirley had the gift for gab and enjoyed playing Bingo with her friends. She was a talented cross-stitcher and made clothes for her children. Additionally, she loved remodeling her home and gardening. Shirley was a woman of huge heart and many talents.

Above all, she loved and cared for her family. While she daily inspired others around her, she still made time for her children and grandchildren and cherished their memories together. Shirley will be dearly missed by her loved ones. She will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Amanda Phillips, Amory, Stephanie Vanegas (Jeff), Amory; son, Eric Phillips, Amory; grandchildren, Tyler Phillips, Abby Phillips, Mason “Cricket” Cates, Everleigh Vanegas; sisters, Doris Riddle, Carolyn Dahlem; brother, James R. Murphy (Ginnotte); nieces and nephews, Brandi Hatch, Kymberly Ballard, John Blake Riddle, Leighann Wright, Steve Cole, Lauren Murphy; and numerous special friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Pearl and Joe Fowlkes; A.F. “Frank Murphy and his wife, Mellie Suggs Murphy; and brother-in-law, Donnie Riddle.

A funeral service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory, with Bro. Robert Fowlkes and Dr. Lloyd Sweatt officiating. Burial will follow in Haughton Memorial Park in Amory. Pallbearers will include Jimmy Douglas Tubb, Jimmy Doyle Fowlkes, Kenny Sanders, Steve Gill, Vincent Miles, and Allen Lee. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Phillips and the staff of NMMC in Tupelo and NMMC Gilmore in Amory.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 8, from 5-8PM at the funeral home.

Memorials and donations may be made in Shirley’s honor to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness, Susan G. Komen, Dept. 41831, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265

Please share your memories and condolences with her family at eepicklefuneralhome.com