Anita Phillips, 74, long time Garland Resident, passed away at home on Monday, September 11, 2023

Anita was born June 24, 1949 in Siedelsbrunn, Germany to Clarence Thomas Oldaker and Elsa (Katie) Ehret. Her father, Tommy, originally from Curtisville, Pennsylvania, was stationed in Heidelburg. Germany during WWII. where he met and married Katie.  A few years after Anita was born, they came to New York City, NY on November 3, 1954.

Her father served as a career military man in the US Army for 30 years prompting many moves in the New England area, and abroad, in Germany and Puerto Rico eventually settling in Ft. Eustis, Virginia.  Anita graduated in 1967 from Denbigh High School in Newport News, VA.  At the age of 19, Anita met her future husband from Dallas, Texas, James W. Phillips, Jr, 21, as she worked on the military base as his secretary.  Upon Jimmy's discharge from the Army, he and Anita married on July 23, 1968 in Newport VA. They immediately moved back to Texas, and settled in the city of Garland. Jimmy was a Sears outlet manager, prior to being drafted and they always held positions for returning veterans. Her parents soon followed and moved near them.

Anita quickly found employment with Overseas Service Corporation, now OSC-WEBCO, a military base supply company. She worked for them in different capacities for the rest of her life.  She began as a front office clerical, and ended as a Business Sales manager who was highly sought after by major companies and their account representatives.

She would travel with her husband, Jimmy and son Mike on many hunting and fishing adventures. She attended Ascension Lutheran Church for many years with her mother, Katie. She enjoyed treating her mom and mother-in-law, Edith Earnheart to special restaurants on special occasions.  She will always be remembered for her sweet, kind, and generous personality as well as her sense of humor.

Anita was a loving wife and mother and is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Katie Oldaker, her husband, James Walter Phillips, Jr.  She is survived by her son Michael Phillips and wife, LaDonna, step granddaughters, Dionna Austin and Dede Ewing and husband, John. Sister-in-law Mary Phillips Davie and her husband, Mark, Cousins, Walter and Wilhelm Rothmueller, niece, Nicole Gooch and her family.  These along with many extended family, lifelong friends and coworkers will mourn her loss.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Monday, September 18, 2023 at St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 1210 W. Belt Line Rd. Richardson, TX 75080. Visitation will be 1 hour prior. Interment will immediately follow funeral at Restland Memorial Park in the Reflections section.