Mrs. Thelma Lenore "Granny" Phillips, age 86, passed from this life on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at approximately 1:39 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health Systems.

She was born on May 22, 1930 in Lynch, Kentucky to James Woodson and Alice Gant.   She was raised by her adoptive parents, Fred and Laura (Woodson) Goran her aunt and uncle.

On August 19, 1948,  she was united in holy matrimony to Mr. James Phillips, Sr. who preceded her in death in 1987.

Mrs. Phillips retired from the Bank of America, in California, where she worked for over 20 years in the Customer Service Department.  She also retired from banking in the Lima area.  She truly loved God and her church families.  She was formerly a member of Second Baptist Church and Community Baptist Church where she served on the missionary society, grandparents club and was a former choir member.  She was currently a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church where she served on the missionary society.  She was the Granny of the church and the originator of Granny's Moments; she also spearheaded the Back to School Supply committee.  She was a member of 2 cancer support groups: Life After and I'm Special.  She belonged to the Chatterbox Club and the Red Hat Society. She was very proud of the fact that she was the great niece of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History.   Her hobbies included traveling, letter writing and collecting bells (over 600). Adult coloring books were her latest passion.  She had a real zest for life and was known as the "life of the party".   As the "Grand Matriarch" her family was the number one focus in her life and will be truly missed by them.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory a daughter,  Geneva "Pat" LaBauve (Peter) of Lima,  10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a son, James Phillips, Jr., a grandson, James Phillips, III, 2 brothers: Fred Goran and Edgar Woodson, and 5 sisters: Wilfred Yett, Gertrude Taylor, Laura Williams, Vivian Wiggins and Serena Nance.

Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at New Life Christian Ministries with Rev. Tony Joiner, officiating and Rev. Kennedy Dennard eulogizing.

Visitation/wake services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the Chapel of Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc.  from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Entombment - Woodlawn Mausoleum

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society in memory of Thelma Lenore Phillips.