Joyce Cook Phillips

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 16, 2025, our beloved Joyce Cook Phillips earned her angel wings and entered the kingdom of Heaven. Born and raised in Fairburn, Georgia on December 8, 1931, Joyce was the fourth of five children. She was born to Lula Jay and Jefferson Wayne Cook and lived her whole life in her hometown of Fairburn, Georgia. On September 23, 1949, Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Bobby Joe Phillips, and was blessed with two children, David and Debbie. She worked for a short time at the First National Bank of Atlanta, but spent most of her life as a homemaker, caring for those she loved and traveling with her husband and family. Joyce endured much heartache during her long life, including the death of her husband at an early age after 49 years of marriage and then the death of her only daughter. Despite her painful losses Joyce gracefully welcomed the role of matriarch of her family until her death. She was an active presence in the lives of her son, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She loved the Atlanta Braves, the Varsity, Longhorn Steakhouse, Jim-n-Nick’s Barbecue and Chick-fill-a and relished her time spent with those she loved. She embraced Jesus as her Lord and Savior and looked forward to being in His presence when her days on earth were over. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Lula and Jefferson Wayne Cook, her four siblings, her beloved husband, Bobby Joe Phillips, and her daughter Deborah Joyce Smallwood. She is survived by her son, David Bobby Phillips; her grandchildren, Chad Smallwood (Maureen), Missy Phillips LaMontagne (Matthew) and Melanie Phillips Ellenberg (Philip); and six great-grandchildren (Bryson Smallwood , Megan Smallwood, Mason LaMontagne, Tanner LaMontagne, Tripp Ellenberg, and Christine Ellenberg; several nieces and nephews. Joyce lived a long and joyful life and leaves a large void that will not soon fade in the lives of those who loved her. We will forever treasure our time and memories with her and take comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace and rejoicing in Heaven. The family will receive guests on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 2pm at Parrott Funeral Home followed by a memorial service in the Chapel of Parrott Funeral Home at 3pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s or Samaritan’s Purse.

Joyce Cook Phillips

December 8, 1931 - August 16, 2025