Martha "Maw Bell" Phillips

MARTHA “MAW BELL” PHILLIPS

Reagan, TN: Martha Bell Climer Phillips, age 89, passed away September 18, 2023, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital.

She was born December 28, 1933, in Reagan in Henderson County, the daughter of the late Dexter Franklin and Gertha Barker Climer.

She married J.P. Alexander on July 12, 1947, and they made their home in the Cabo Community. Mr. Alexander passed away on May 10, 2005. She later married Jerry Phillips.

She worked at Salant & Salant in Henderson. She moved to Chicago for eleven years and then returned to Chester County.

She and Mr. Phillips, built, owned and operated Henderson Seven Eleven Store. She later managed S & H Market in Reagan.

She was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church and was very involved. She was in the prayer partner group. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.

She enjoyed sewing and had a dog grooming business for a time. She loved doing outside work and building things. She and her sister-built log cabins and worked on her own home.

She was also a good painter of landscapes.

She loved her family and left a legacy of keeping them all close to her both physically and in heart.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by a son, Ralph Alexander (Carolyn) of Reagan; a daughter, Sally Alexander Dukes (Harold) of Reagan; five grandchildren, Derek Dukes (Emily), Amy Lemmings (Phillip), Tracey Alexander (Kim), Wendy Cherry (Jeremy) and Jeff Jones; twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; a brother, Joe Allen Climer of Reagan and a sister, Velma Dean Alexander (Gayle) of Reagan.

She was preceded by her parents, her husband, J.P. Alexander, four brothers, Paul Climer, Ernest Climer, Clifford Climer and Dan Climer; and three sisters, Hazel Ryan, Mamie Dell Essary, and Elizabeth Mooney.             

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – East Main Chapel with Randy Hart officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at East Main Chapel 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors

Henderson, TN  731-989-2624