Melva Phillips

Melva (Hammett) Phillips, 96, passed away September 13, 2025, at Ouachita Nursing and Rehab in Camden, AR. Melva was born February 27, 1929, to Elbert and Billie Stephens in Bagwell, TX.

Melva was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis Hammett; a grandson, Josh Cleamons; a great grandson, Hunter Cleamons and a brother, Edward Stephens. She is survived by her six children, Donna Cross (Jerry) of Camden, AR, David Hammett (Sue) of Branson, MO, Doran Hammett (Linda) of Okarche, OK, Dorothy Nutt of Holly Springs, AR, Debra Cornwell (Terapin) of Parkers Chapel, AR and Delora Ivins (Gary) of Texarkana, AR; 14 grandchildren, Dorease Kincaid, Michael Shairrick, Conley Shairrick, Lee Hammett, Angie Brewer, Jason Hammett, Mandy Shirey, Jeremy Hammett, Johnny Cleamons, Clayton Rodgers, Vanna Rodgers, Kristi Grillo, Aaron Massey and Louis Ivins; 31 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Sharon Stephens and many family members and step-grandchildren whom she loved dearly. 

She worked at a defense plant in East Camden for 42 years and retired when she was just shy of 80 years old. She loved spending time with her family, her Sunday School class at Cullendale First Baptist Church, Christmas, reading, working puzzle books, writing poetry, watching game shows, birds, flowers, animals and telling jokes. Her family remembers her as not getting upset about very much no matter what life threw at her. She would always say, “It is what it is and stuff happens.” She loved her family and friends. All who knew her loved her.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 19th, 2025, at Proctor Funeral Home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Proctor Funeral Home with Bro. Wade Totty officiating. Burial will be 2:00 Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Blanton Creek Cemetery near Bagwell, TX.

The family would like to thank Ouachita County Medical Center, The Arbor Hospice care team, Ouachita County Nursing and Rehab, Dr. Crump and Dr Lewis for the loving care and kindness you all showed to our mother (grandmother). She will surely be missed by all her family and friends. Always in our hearts.

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