Margie Nell Crofford Phillips

Margie Nell Crofford Phillips went to go play piano for the Lord on September 14, 2022, in Amarillo, Texas.

A viewing with the family will be held at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd. on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, from 2-3:30 pm.

Services to be held on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at 10:30 am at Crossroads Country Church, 14425 South Washington Street, Amarillo, Texas. Burial will be that afternoon at the Citizens Cemetery, Clarendon, Texas at 3 pm.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Margie was born in Wellington, Texas on April 15, 1931, to Floyd and Gracie Williams Crofford.  After living near Hedley, Texas for several years, the family moved to the Martin Community, seven miles west of Clarendon, Texas. She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1948 and attended Clarendon Jr. College for one year before going to work for the Farmers State Bank in Clarendon. In 1950 she married Billy Mix Phillips, and in 1954 after moving to Amarillo, they had a beautiful daughter, Marla.  In 1957, they had their second child, Brad.

Margie attended West Texas State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in 1968.  She was a member of Alpha Chi at WTSU.

After receiving an Elementary Education Major with a music minor accreditation, she began a teaching career in 1969 spanning almost 30 years. She taught music at Gene Howe Elementary School for 14 years, music and art at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School for 7 years and then after taking a short break, she taught 2

nd

grade at Belmar Elementary School for another 7 years, retiring for good from teaching in 1997.

While at Belmar, she was selected teacher of the year, representing Belmar.  She was a lifetime member of the Texas PTA and TSTA.  During her teaching career, she presented many music workshops in the Panhandle area for other Elementary Music Teachers and helped train music teachers through the Student program at WT A&M University.  At Gene Howe Elementary, she was honored with a special recognition by the faculty for her dedication and love for the students, school, and community. Her music classes participated in talent shows, presented Patriotic and Christmas programs, and were always available for other PTA, civic clubs, spring concerts, and Museum celebrations. She always thought of her students as her kids.  Especially one student we always teased as being a daughter, Kellie Kay Campbell Lane.  Mom loved them all.

Bill and Margie were always doing the Lord’s work serving in many Baptist Churches in the Panhandle area in the music ministry.  They also helped with the music at funeral homes, entertained in Nursing homes and Adult Day Care Centers, and even at RV Parks when they traveled. Before moving to Amarillo, they were instrumental in helping to organize a Baptist Mission in Burlington, Colorado which has been reaching out to smaller towns around them to begin missions for the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Bill; her mother, Gracie Williams Crofford, in 1993; father, Floyd C Crofford, in 2001; a sister, Bobbie Ladema, in 1935; her brother, FG Crofford, in 2019; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Drake Crofford, in 2019.

Survivors include daughter, Marla Johnson and her husband, Tommy, of Oklahoma City; son, Brad Phillips and his wife, Stormie, of Amarillo; 3 grandsons, Brett and his wife Christie of Oklahoma City; Bradley and his wife Courtney of Amarillo; and Justin and his wife, Jenna, of Dumas. She was blessed with 9 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.  She also loved her blended family, Ty and Lauren Williams; Colt and Abby Williams; Anthony and Stevie Johnson; and many, many friends.

Pallbearers include Brett Shadix, Bradley Phillips, Justin Phillips, Tommy Johnson, Tyrel Williams, and Colt Williams. Honorary Pallbearers include Mike Mills, Jimmy Floyd, and Mike Phillips.