Phyllis Val Jeanne Phillips, 99, of Eagle Idaho, passed away on July 26, 2024, at the home of Chris and Marta Phillips. She was born on October 24, 1924, in Smithville, MO, the daughter of Harold J, and Beulah E. Fairley. Val graduated as a Valedictorian of Janesville Iowa high school. She was a graduate of Iowa State Teacher's College with a B.A. degree. Val married Travis John Edward Phillips on August 16, 1945. Travis also graduated from Iowa State Teacher's College.

After graduation, Val worked as a medical transcriptionist while her husband pursued a PhD in chemistry. After receiving his degree, Travis worked as a chemist at Westinghouse and Val began her career in church music.

After several years, they moved to Hammond, IN where Val began working as a music teacher in the public school system. Trav began a career as a chemistry professor at Purdue Calumet. Following her years as a music educator, Val earned a master's in music degree at Valparaiso University and later a master's in music at Northwestern University. During that time, she continued her service in church music. After retirement, Val earned a PhD in organ performance in 1996 at Louisiana State University while simultaneously serving as music director at St. Michaels Church and at St. Augustine's church for many years. In 2021, due to declining health, Val relocated to the home of Chris and Marta Phillips in San Jose, California.

Val was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She was generous and kind to her family, friends, neighbors and church family. She was a talented cook and baker, baking innumerable types of complicated, fancy cookies. Her orange rolls were a family favorite. Her many recipes will be passed down for generations to come. Her father had been a baker in his early years. She also was an avid gardener, as knowledgeable as any horticulturist. Over the years she had been involved in PTA, League of Women Voters, and was president of the American Guild of Organists. She had a soft spot for animals and had many cats over the years.

Val was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Sheldon Fairley, her sister Beverly Irwin, and her husband Travis Phillips. Survivors are three sons: L. David Phillips (Joan), of Bloomfield, IN; Geoffrey Phillips (Rita), of Eagle, UT; Christopher Phillips (Marta), of Eagle ID; and her daughter Hannah C. Phillips of Alexandria, VA. Also, a nephew, Colin Irwin (David), of Los Angeles, CA, and a niece Amy Hinkler (Tom) of Crane MO. Grandchildren are Stephen Phillips (Hannah) of Sellersburg IN; Stephanie Smith of Woodland Park CO; Kristen Maxwell of Austin TX; Heather Schaller (Gregor) of San Diego, CA; Geoffrey Phillips Jr of Eureka Springs, AR; Tristan Valiant of Seattle, WA; Melissa Phillips of Eagle ID. Step grandchildren are Alan Casper, Troy Casper, Brion Casper, Rhett Casper, and Jeremy Casper, along with many wonderful great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Chris, Marta and Melissa Phillips for their care and support during her last years.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 2410 Melrose Dr., Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Immediately following the service burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, 2650 Fairview, Janesville, IA.