Reba Jones

Reba Phillips-Jones passed from this life on July 30, 2021, at the age of 90. She was born on Sept. 9, 1930, to Jim and Wilma Maxwell in Howe, Texas. Reba married Billy Joe Phillips in 1947 and from that union sprang her cherished bouquet of offspring, with children: Joe Richard Phillips, Robbie Lynn Phillips-Dudley, Billy Ross Phillips and wife Rita – all of Bokchito, Okla. and Stella Phillips-McCarley Eufaula, Okla.; grandchildren: Michelle Torres, Michael McIntire, Tina Phillips-Jennings, Jeffrey Nichols, Rod Laymon, Kim Phillips-Boyd, Amy Laymon, Amanda Phillips-Tomasulo, Regina Phillips, LeeAnn Phillips-Worthy, Amber Phillips-Jordan, Matthew Phillips, Aaron Phillips, Joe H. Phillips; plus 34 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by sister, Jimmie Ann Louderback of New Mexico; sister, Martha Eades; and one brother-in-love, Fred Eades of Moore, Okla.

Reba was proceeded in death by her parents; brothers, Johnny and Harold Maxwell; sisters, Doris Harris and Dorothy Rice; and husbands Wilson Jones and Dwayne “Budgy” Jones.

Reba’s life revolved around a deep devotion to her family, along with helping others, building churches, and supporting her community by demonstrating a tireless “get-it-done” spirit. Reba was an avid supporter of the school activities especially the Bokchito Roughriders Marching Band. She served as Class Mother, headed-up fund raising activities, supported FFA and FHA and boldly traveled with Senior Class trips. Every Saturday for 40 years she served Chili and Beans at her home with an open invitation to hungry kids, ball teams, carpet layers, mechanics, and the local doctor.

In the 1960s, Reba wanted to provide a gathering place for the youth of her community. Together with other mothers, she organized the Bokchito Youth Center, which hosted local bands in the former Easter Theater building. Teenagers came every Saturday night to visit and dance to the Rock-and-Roll music. Reba supported the annual Homecoming event for many years and served as Senior Queen in 2013. In the 1970s Senator Roy Boatner appointed Reba as Tag Agent and she served Bryan County residents for 20 years.

In the 1980s, Reba served her community as an agent for Oklahoma Farmers Union and sponsored youth who participated in the annual OFU youth camp and speech contest. As a Founding Member, Reba worked tirelessly to bring the Bokchito Community Center to reality. Through the years Reba enjoyed fellowship with all churches in her community, and for the last several years First Baptist of Bokchito has been her home church.

Family hour will be from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at the Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5 at the First Baptist Church in Bokchito, Okla. with Rev. Ross Phillips officiating and Matthew Phillips assisting. Burial and Graveside services will be the Bokchito Cemetery in Bokchito. Pall Bearers will be Mike McIntire, Toby McIntire, Ricky Torres, Chalem Palmer, Jonathan Solis, Damien Anderson, and TJ Anderson. The honorary pallbearers are Wayne Parker, Wes Parker, Travis Smith, Roger Neal, Fred Eades, and Jim Terry.

Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. www.holmescoffeymurray.com