Elizabeth Phillips

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Renee Phillips, age 41, left her earthly body behind to spend eternity with Jesus.

A celebration of Lizzie’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 3, at 11:00 AM at The Avenue Church, 1761 US-77 in Waxahachie, TX.  Visitation will be held on the preceding night, Monday, December 2, 6:00-8:00 PM at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 W Hwy 287 Business in Waxahachie.

Lizzie was born on October 10, 1978, in Arlington, Texas. She faced significant physical challenges from the beginning. Her parents quickly and effectively became her lifeline to the world and to success. Lizzie’s brother, Greg, willingly shared responsibility for his baby sister as did her Aunt Jackie and her grandmother Doris and a host of other friends and family.

Though her body failed in many ways, her mind never did. Lizzie was gifted with great intelligence and a sharp wit. Neither blindness nor immobility nor painful disease could prevent her from graduating Howard Payne University with a degree in Psychology, a study which she loved to employ in analyzing people. She possessed an uncanny ability to see into the heart, the intentions, and the motivations of a person. There was no need to try to fool her with “pretty” words or excuses; she could sense the truth and see right through a façade. Lizzie lived with no pretension and she expected others to do the same. But those whom she loved received the full measure of that love without judgment and with a fierce commitment to protect and to support as she had been supported. Because of the pain that she knew intimately, she could offer genuine compassion and empathy to others. At times, Lizzie came close to giving up, but the prayers of those who loved her, her own faith, and her dogged determination would not let her.

Armed with a compelling personal testimony, a brilliant mind, and the voice of an angel, doors were often opened for her to perform at churches, civic events and various music venues. Lizzie once was asked to sing at a Joni Eareckson Tada conference. As she often did, she selected “My Father’s Eyes,” a favorite that had unofficially become her theme song.

“She had her Father’s eyes, her Father’s eyes

Eyes that found the good in things when good was not around

Eyes that found the source of help when help would not be found

Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain

Knowing what you’re going through and feeling it the same

Just like my Father’s eyes. My Father’s eyes.”

Today, Lizzie sees no longer through the veil of her humanity, no longer through the window of her imagination, no longer through the tears of her pain. Lizzie now sees her heavenly Father face to face and eye to eye.

Lizzie is survived by Gary L. Phillips, father; Rhonda Woodard Phillips, mother; Greg Phillips, brother; Luca and Giovanni Mariani, two little boys whom she loved and knew her as Sister; Doris Endler Woodard, grandmother; Jackie Woodard White, aunt; Kimber, guide dog companion; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lizzie is preceded in death by JP Woodard, maternal grandfather; Carlisle Phillips, paternal grandfather; Nita Fern Phillips, paternal grandmother; James R. Barrett, cousin; and Buffy, guide dog companion.

Contributions may be made to the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association at https://www.fpa-support.org or K9s 4 Mobility at www.k9s4mobility.org in memory of Lizzie.

Arrangements especially for the Phillips Family by Wayne Boze Funeral Home. 1826 West. Hwy 287 Bus. Waxahachie, Tx 75165 972-923-2700 www.waynebozefuneralhome.com