Joanne Elaine Phillips' Obituary
On January 26, 2018, this earth lost one of the sweetest laughs and most contagious smiles which graced countless lives and in turn, the Lord received one of His most precious daughters to her final Home. Joanne Elaine Phillips, a resident of Oklahoma City, was healed to Glory at the age of 59. She was born September 8, 1958, to Francis Warren Gaughan and Mary Elizabeth (Axton) Gaughan in Independence, Kansas.She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Francis Warren and Mary Elizabeth Gaughan; brother and best friend, Jeff Gaughan; Rocky Moody; infant daughter, Chelsea Phillips. Joanne was survived by her two daughters, Alyssa Phillips and April Rinner and husband, Jeremy; grandchildren, Luke and Eli Rinner; brother, David Gaughan and wife, Kathy; sister, Mary Ann Hendel and husband, Steve; nephew, Mike Gaughan and wife, Julia; nephew, Andy Gaughan; niece, Stephanie Byrne and husband, Brian; nephew, Matthew Hendel and Stephen Cook; niece, Jenny Norton and husband, Keith with many more loving family members. She was also survived by what seemed to be countless friends that were precious to her heart and were chosen to be part of her family.There are two words that in no way described Joanne: boring and sad. Her joy for life was beautiful to behold and truly defined her every decision, action, and lifestyle. Laughter was her favorite phrase and humor was her mantra. Even in the midst of loss and challenging circumstances, she continued to find hope and press on with a mighty strength that was an example to everyone. She loved deeply, gave selflessly, served ambitiously, laughed freely, and enjoyed life well. She was truly a treasure and to know Joanne was to love Joanne. She would want her many legacies to carry on in all those dear to her heart. Keep delighting in a practical joke. Don’t forget to make a prank phone call every so often. Always choose a bold color, never a pastel. Serve those who cannot serve themselves. Root for the underdog. Eat the candy…all the candy. Let laughter be part of your heart. Embrace yard work and the beauty of a flower bed. Travel the world to see God’s divine creations. Always love the souls you have been given around you – there is good in everyone. And finally – it is never too late to trust in the saving love of Jesus, he is our greatest and most fulfilling prize.Joanne fully believed that in the last 9 months of her life that cancer did not win nor defeat her hope. She embraced her lot in life and fought bravely and lived abundantly. Although her time on earth was shorter than some, she cherished every moment she was given and knew Jesus Christ was with her each day and each hour. She knew where was going and has finally arrived in Glory – fully healed and fully free.The family is asking that everyone please wear bright colors in honor of Joanne.“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Art Cantu officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family request donations are made to Clarehouse in Tulsa or Rebuilding Together in Oklahoma City. She is EverywhereA Tribute to My MomWhen I took my first breath she was there. When I fell and got hurt and needed her touch she was there. When I started my first day of Kindergarten she was there. She captured every moment possible on camera, regardless of how much I resisted because she cherished my childhood and she was always there. Enduring my strong-will throughout childhood she was there. Making sure I stayed on track with school and made good grades she was there. Even through the teenage years when I thought I always knew best she remained there. When I was learning how to drive and she told me I was going to “kill us all” she was there, praying for her life. Every life event, doctor’s appointment, or school activity she was consistently there. Making sacrifices and spending less on herself so she could give more to my sister and I she was there. Taking us to the pool every summer as soon as she got off work she was there. Making sure I had everything I needed and nearly everything I could ever want she was there. Anything humorous or involving a practical joke to scare me out of my wits she was there ready and waiting. Washing all of my laundry for 18 years she was there. Making every single Birthday even to this day special with my favorite foods, desserts, and the best gifts she was there.Preparing for college and buying everything under the sun for my dorm room she was there.Walking out of my college dormitory crying, when she left an out of state university, she was there. Leaving an engraved bracelet with a scripture, “Lo, I am with you always.” in my dorm room dresser she was there. Making sacrifices to help make sure my sister and I graduated college completely debt free she was there. Proudly watching me graduate nursing school she was there. Walking down the aisle on my wedding day I saw her as she stood there. Loving my husband like her own son and sharing a strong bond with him she was there. Holding my newborn baby for the first time, who she said looked exactly like me, she was there. Telling me I was the best mother she had ever seen, even on my less than perfect days, she was there. Adoring her grandkids and only seeing the best in them she was there. Loving me at every stage of life she was there. Giving me more than she had and more than she should she was always there.Sending diapers and baby clothes in the mail when we had two babies 16 months apart she was there. Turning her car around in my driveway to kiss crying grandbabies just one more time she was there. Believing I could earn my Master’s degree and encouraging me from the beginning she was there. Helping proofread my 30 plus page scholarly papers she was there. When the doctor uttered the words stage 4 adenocarcinoma I was there. Wanting so badly to take her place so she wouldn’t have to bear it I was there. Holding her with my sister in the hospital heartbroken and crushed we cried there. Always kind to everyone no matter how they acted she was there. When I tuck my boys to bed at night I remember her doing the same for me and she is there. When I go to the store everywhere I turn I see something that reminds me of her and she is there. The front door she painted and the trim everywhere she spent hours on at my house reminds me of her and she is there. The baby bedding we picked out together and all of the endless gifts she bought our boys remind me of her and she is there. Almost every other memory in my mind has her presence in it and she is there. All of the albums with pictures she cherished of us I now cherish and study her because she was there. Proudly watching her turn to God during the last and most physically difficult month of her life I was there. During her final days enduring physical weakness and needing her daughters, we were there. Taking her last breath and watching her heart stop beating while she stepped into Glory we were there.Honoring her and striving to carry on her legacy we will always be there.Mom, if I could have searched the entire world for a mother, I would have gone straight to you. We will never forget you. You will remain in our hearts forever. I love you so much,April
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