Obituaries 5 December 2025

Joyce Elaine Phillips

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article
Joyce Elaine Phillips

Joyce Elaine Phillips, 83, of Leesburg, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at Highland District Hospital.   

She was born March 20, 1942 in Leesburg, the daughter of the late Linley and Daisy (Waits) Smith.  

Joyce loved being outdoors, tending to her garden and flowers. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, and treasured time spent with her family.   

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, David E. Phillips, whom she married Feb. 16, 1957 in Brookville, Ind. She is also survived by three children, Jeff Phillips, Patty (Kim) Ross and Kathy (Ked) Sturgill, all of Leesburg; nine grandchildren, Bob (Jamie) Phillips of Greenfield, Neal (Danielle) Phillips of Hillsboro, Cory (Monica) Phillips of Leesburg, Melissa (Kyle Bowman) Phillips of Belfast, Misty (Bob Hampton) Cox of Leesburg, Tesla (Tré) Howard of Leesburg, Mallory (C.J. Cramer) Braley of Leesburg, Tasha (Chris Powell) Osborne of Leesburg , and Dustin (Jade) Sturgill of West Union; numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard (Rhonda) Smith of Leesburg; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by a grandson, Trey Hunter Ross. 

Visitation will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Turner Funeral Home in Leesburg, when a funeral service will begin. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. 

To leave an online condolence to the family please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc. 

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