Viola Doreen Phillips, 82, of Florence, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2013, at her home. She was born July 18, 1930, in Florence, daughter of Bernhardt and Pearl (Steele) Brodersen. On May 20, 1950, she was married to Jackie L. Phillips, who survives of the home.

Viola graduated from Syracuse High School, Syracuse, MO, and attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, where she obtained a teaching degree. She taught at Burford and Syracuse schools for two years and then substitute taught. She was very involved in helping on the family farm and was a homemaker. She loved her family and enjoyed having family gatherings. She was known for her love of flowers, cooking, gardening and quilting.

She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church at Florence, where she was actively involved in serving our Lord in all functions. She had held the office of Church Treasurer for more than 27 years, retiring from that position in 1999. She was also an active charter member of the Bo-Ski-Fun Bunch from Kansas City, MO. She was an active member of Victory Homemakers Club of Florence.

In addition to her husband of 63 years, survivors include two sons, Ron Phillips (Rose), and Robert Phillips (Vida), all of Florence; two daughters, Cathy MacFedries (Jackson), of Smithton, and Donna Reynolds (John), of Florence; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and three brothers, Charles Brodersen (Melita), of Otterville, John Brodersen (Sandy), of Florence, and Elmer Brodersen (Darlene), of Elk City, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Velma Bishop, Marianna Paxson, Leo Brodersen, Dorothy Ward and Roy Brodersen; and a grandson, Clint Harvey. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church near Florence, with the Rev. Gary Payne and the Rev. David Griffith officiating.

Casket bearers will be Walker Phillips, Preston Phillips, Jeremy Ellison, Adam Nevels, Danny Brodersen and David Brodersen. Honorary bearers will be Quenton Phillips, Trenton Phillips, Jason Ellison, Christopher Nevels, Seth Nevels, Chris Harvey, Chad Harvey, Gary Brodersen, Dale Brodersen, Donald Brodersen and Dale Phillips. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia. Memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Olive Cemetery Association. Condolences may be offered at heckartfuneralhome.com.

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