Mrs. Josephine Louise "Jo" Phillips

Mrs. Josephine Louise "Jo" Atkins Phillips, age 72 of Mt. Airy passed away at Northern Hospital of Surry County on Sunday, February 12, 2012. She was born in Surry County, the daughter of the late Lacy Lincoln Atkins and Beulah Elizabeth Johnson Atkins Cain. Mrs. Philips worked as a hairdresser with her mother for 26 years at Beulah's Beauty Shop. She also worked as Activities Director at Central Continuing Care for 10 years and a Certified Nursing Assistant with Surry Community Nursing Center and Open Hands Care Givers. Mrs. Phillips was a faithful member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Bernie Edward Phillips and a sister, Geraldine "Gerry" Shelton and her husband, Gary Shelton. Mrs. Phillips is survived by four loving children, Edward Phillips and wife, Janet of Mt. Airy, Louise Sawyers and husband, Ricky of Mt. Airy, Kathy Mabe and husband, Dale of Mt. Airy and Paul Phillips and wife, Jennifer of Lillington, NC; three precious grandchildren, Amanda Louise Sawyers, Benton "Ben" Edward Phillips and Ryleigh Elizabeth Phillips; sister, Nelda Stanley and husband, Bobby Dean of Dobson; brother G.W. Atkins and wife, Ann of Welcome; seven nieces and five nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Rev. Rusty Reed, Rev. Flake Mason and Rev. Dean Eaton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 6:00 until 9:00 PM on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 123 Mt. Carmel Church Rd., Mt. Airy, NC 27030