Eleanor Joy Pickett Phillips
Eleanor Phillips departed this life at 95 years of age to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2023. Joy, as she was known to all, was truly a joy to all who knew her. She was born in Fisher, LA to Judge John S. Pickett, Sr. and Margaret Cecelia Hatcher Pickett on September 17, 1927, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 16, 2023.
Joy attended elementary school in Fisher and graduated from Many High School. She attended Whitworth Junior College in Brookhaven, MS and completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA. She received her master’s degree in education at the University of Arkansas. It was at the University of Arkansas that she met her future husband, Tom Phillips, whom she was married to for almost 62 years.
She enjoyed traveling and was involved in various civic and fraternal organizations. In 1959, during a summer break from teaching, she, her husband and three children traveled through the lower 48 states, tent camping the entire trip. In 1961 they traveled to Alaska, tent camping again the entire trip. Her love for travel continued her entire life, and in later years she traveled to club conventions in Louisiana and other states. Joy was active in the Fisher Heritage Foundation and was chairperson of the Fisher Sawmill Days for 18 years. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for 68 years. She was initiated into Sabine Chapter #171, Many, LA in 1955, and in 1981 demit from that chapter and affiliated with Mount Carmel Chapter #3, Florien, LA. She served as Worthy Matron and held other offices, including state offices, in both chapters many times. She was also a member of Aransas Pass Chapter #162, Aransas Pass, TX Order of Eastern Star. Joy was a member of the Louisiana Company Jamestowne Society. She was also a member of Kate Beard Chapter #397, Mansfield, United Daughters of the Confederacy and was a member of the Sabine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served as regent. After retiring, Joy, along with her husband, was very involved with the Sabine Parish Players. She was directed and coached by Mary Bozeman and acted in many local plays, with her favorite play being “A Christmas Carol.”
Joy was a devoted Christian and taught Sunday School in various churches throughout the years. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Ruth Sunday School class of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. She retained her membership at First Baptist Church, Fisher, LA.
Joy is survived by her daughters Marsa (Tom) Merrick of Ingleside, TX; Sabra Caldwell Comish (Byron) of Denham Springs, LA; and son Jeff (Miki) Phillips of Fisher, LA. Grandchildren are Jeffrey (Dawn) Merrick of New Braunfels, TX; Phillip (Carrie) Merrick of Columbus, OH; Col. James (Katie) Caldwell of Madison, AL; Christine (Kris) Hughes of Huntland, TN; Meredith (Jacob) Hudson of Pineville, LA; Frank Lenoir (Jessica) of DeRidder, LA; and T. J. Phillips of Fisher, LA. Also left to mourn are great grandchildren J. J., Jamie, and Jack Merrick of New Braunfels, TX; Thomas Merrick of Columbus, OH; Isaac and Emily Caldwell of Madison, AL; Kristina, Leah, Alan, and Corinne Hughes of Huntland, TN; and Emma Joy Hudson of Pineville, LA. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Joanne Pickett of Many, LA and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joy is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Jefferson Phillips; inlaws William Benjamin and Ida Triplett Phillips of Figure Five, AR; her brother Judge John S. Pickett, Jr. of Many, LA; her sister and brother-in-law Mary Charlotte Ruffin and Clifford Ruffin of Minden, LA; and son-in-law John Caldwell of Baton Rouge, LA. She also had a sister, Margaret Cecelia Pickett, who was born and passed away before Joy’s birth.
Visitation will be held at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many, LA June 20, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with the memorial service following at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Byron Comish officiating. Funeral Ceremony of the Order of Eastern Star will begin the memorial service. Burial will follow at Many Cemetery in Many, LA. Pallbearers are Col. James Caldwell of Madison, AL; Kris Hughes of Huntland, TN; Jacob Hudson of Pineville, LA; Tom Merrick of Ingleside, TX; Jeffrey Merrick of New Braunfels, TX; and Billy Pickett of Many, LA.
