HUNTSVILLE — Virginia Kathleen (Howell) Phillips was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Georgetown to James William Howell and Bertha Melissa Vickers. She passed away on March 3, 2010, in Conroe at age 88.

She had three sisters: Steine Witt (deceased), Vera Bernice (Howell) Lilly (deceased), and Beverly Charlene (Massie) Moore, and one brother Giles Ray Massie.

Originally married to Daniel O Leary in 1941 in Houston; Daniel lost his life in the Pacific theater during World War II in 1945. Subsequently she married Lyndsay (Lynn) G. Phillips on July 6, 1946, in Corpus Christie. Lynn has just preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2010.

Kathleen is survived by one son, Lyndsay G. Phillips Jr., DVM, and two granddaughters, Elyse Jane and Erin Kathleen Phillips, all residing in Roseville, Calif.

Lynn and Kathleen met after World War II when both were working in Houston for Gulf Oil Corp. They lived initially in Dallas and were transferred to Abilene, Lubbock, Tulsa, Okla., and Houston. They retired to Elkins Lake in Huntsville in 1983.

Virginia devoted her life to being a devoted homemaker and enjoyed golf, sewing, tailoring/upholstery, square dancing and travel. With the advantage of a large, close extended family, in Houston and the Huntsville area, she enjoyed their closeness and love. In Huntsville, she and Lynn served as polling judges for many years in all elections in Walker County. Her passing brings immediate sorrow, but the memories of more than 80 years of love for her family and broad circle of friends lives on.

Services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, with Dr. Lyndsay G. Phillips Jr. officiating. Family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will be in Houston National Cemetery at a later date.

Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.