Jennifer Clare (Ellis) Phillips, a resident of Frisco, Texas, passed away March 22, 2026 at the age of 80. She was born on December 3, 1945, to her loving parents, Osbern Ellis and Lucille (Blair) Ellis in Parsons, Kansas.
Jennifer graduated from Parsons Senior High School with the Class of 1963. She went on to attend Pittsburg State University in Kansas, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English in just three years. She began her career as a high school English teacher, a profession that perfectly reflected her lifelong love of reading, writing, and learning.
On August 20, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Terry Irvin Phillips, in Parsons, Kansas. In 1969, Terry joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War and they moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. She briefly continued teaching before stepping away from her career in 1971 to devote her time to raising their family.
After moving to Texas and settling in Plano, Jennifer worked for many years in a doctor’s office, where she was known for her kindness, patience, and genuine care for others. She truly enjoyed helping people and formed many friendships through her work.
Jennifer had a deep passion for writing and wrote several books for young adults, although they were not published. She also loved reading when she had spare time and enjoyed watching movies with her family. In her later years, she was a devoted football fan, especially cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs.
She was also a faithful member of First Christian Church in Plano for many years.
More than anything, Jennifer loved her family. She was a devoted mother to her two daughters and a proud and loving grandmother to her four grandchildren. Being known as “Nana” and “Grammie” was one of her greatest joys, and she treasured every moment spent with her family.
She will be remembered for her intelligence, creativity, caring heart, and the love she gave so freely to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Jennifer is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-nine years, Terry Phillips; daughters, Holly Rudnick (Phil) of McKinney, Texas, and Amy Palomarez (Albert) of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Alex Rudnick, Madison Rudnick, Andrew Palomarez, and Alissa Palomarez; sister, Carol Sue Lavin of Aurora, Colorado; and numerous extended family members and friends, who will miss her and cherish her memory.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents Osbern and Lucille Ellis, and brother, Gary Ellis.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at First Christian Church Plano, 813 E 15th Street, Plano, Texas, 75074, with reception to follow. The committal service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013.
The family will receive guests during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.