Clara Phillips

Kerrville Mrs. Clara S. Phillips, 100, of Kerrville, passed from this life at a local health care facility on March 28, 2011.

She was born on July 3, 1910 in Whick, KY to Pryse and Ellen Campbell Strong, and spent her early childhood in a little isolated village in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

After completing 8 grades in a one room schoolhouse, the Masonic Lodge made arrangements for her to attend Berea College that had a high school program at the time, for students who did not have a high school available near them. She went on and graduated from Berea College, and was employed by the college for 2 years.

She moved to Texas and married James quotJimquot Phillips, and the two moved to Washington State, to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Clara decided not to follow her chosen teaching career, but to help her husband.

Clara spent her spare time volunteering in all kinds of community work her main goal was to set up craft clubs for older women without hobbies.

Her husband retired in 1960, and they took to the open road in their travel trailer, stopping here and there around the US, Canada and Mexico. They settled in Kerrville after 10 years, due to Jims failing health.

After Jims passing, she started volunteering at the Dietert Senior Center, finding all kinds of new challenging opportunities.

Clara served on the Volunteer Service Board at Kerrville State Hospital, was on the Board of Directors at the Senior Center, and was on the Senior Advisory Board of the Area Council of Government representing Kerr County. Traveling through Mexico, Clara realized the importance of a good stable government, and became active in promoting voting, and supporting capable candidates for local, county, state and national government.

She served as Judge of the City and School Boards for 10 years. The Kerrville City Council gave her a certificate of appreciation for her work in the elections. She served as office volunteer for both Loeffler and Lamar Smith for 15 years. Congressman Smith chose her as quotOutstanding Volunteerquot in his district one year.

She volunteered for the Texas Arts and Crafts for 20 years, was a member of the Founders Club of Berea College and leaves a scholarship fund in its endowment, the income from which will be used to help needy students finish college.

Clara was a member of the Hill Country Unity Church.

Clara is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, and her brothers and sisters.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her friends.

There will be no visitation.

Services will be held at a later date to be announced.

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