Ruth Roseann Phillips

Ruth Roseann Phillips, 73, of Little Rock, Arkansas died Saturday, May 6, 2017. Roseann was born on November 13, 1943 in Fordyce, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Arlen and Christine Ocille Phillips. She was a devoted member of the The Church at Rock Creek. Survivors include one son, Jeffrey Scott Shivers; daughter-in-law, Susan Renee Shivers (the Best daughter-in-law one could ever hope for); three grandchildren, Bennett Lamar Hale, Brett Anthony Shivers, and Brandi Nicole Shivers; all of Fordyce, Arkansas; one great-granddaughter, Sophie Ann Hale of Redfield, one sister, Brenda Sue Bobertz of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; one niece, Angela Christie Finnegan and Husband Drew, of Columbia, South Carolina; three great nieces, Caitlyn Finnegan, Colleen Finnegan, and Sarah Bobertz; and numerous cousins and close friends, too many to mention. Roseann was a native of Fordyce, Arkansas and attended elementary and high school there from 1949 to 1961. She was a member of many social clubs, including National Honor Society, Thespians, and Beta Delta Sorority. Roseann was fortunate to maintain close friendships with many of her classmates until her death. She attended Henderson State College from 1961 to 1963 majoring in Music Education, even though "The Business World" was her dream. Piano was her major instrument with the organ secondary. Her sorority was Delta Zeta. Roseann's working career started as a piano teacher in Fordyce, Thornton, Carthage, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Her first venture into "The Business World" came on 4-6-1970 when she worked as a secretary at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She worked there until 3-14-1975. From 3-17-1975 to 2-6-1976 she worked in Accounts Receivable at Smith Paper Company in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Beginning 2-9-1976 she became a Secretary and shortly afterward a Manager at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She worked in Pine Bluff, Ark., Little Rock, Ark., and Tulsa, Okla. with Southwestern Bell until 3-19-1999, when she retired with 23 years of service and moved back to Little Rock, her favorite place. Roseann enjoyed many years as a member of the Little Rock Meet & Greet Club and loved playing Mah Jongg, Bunko, and attending all the luncheons and various club functions with her numerous friends. She also loved going to the movies, Murry's Dinner Theater, The Rep, Robinson Center, Verizon, and the Art Center. Her lifelong hobby revolved around collecting ‘Cats," both stationary and real. She always had a Siamese cat to love and be loved by. She will dearly miss her Shojo, her companion of many years. She dearly loved and enjoyed her grandchildren, Brett, Brandi, and Bennett, and treated them to many special things. She was a loving "Mimi." Johnny Depp was her favorite actor and she had a vast collection of his movies, posters, and other memorabilia. One of her most cherished possessions was her 2002 Pontiac T-Top Trans Am. It was immaculate! A celebration of Roseann's life will be held at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 12th, 2017. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception for family and friends at her home. Cremation will be handled by Griffin Leggett Funeral Home. Roseann has requested that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd, Little Rock, Ark. 72210, the ASPCA, or to the American Lung Association. To express condolences and sign the online guestbook, visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.