Rose Mary Philliber

Mrs. Rose Mary Philliber, age 86 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at St. Joseph Bluffs. Rose Mary was born on October 10, 1925, in Olvey, Ark., a daughter of John W. and Wallcie M. Young Tomlin. She was married on November 25, 1948, in Neosho, Mo., to the Reverend John Vernon Philliber, who preceded her in death on December 23, 1996. Rose Mary was a 1946 graduate of Neosho High School. A resident of the Jefferson City area since 1973, Rose Mary was a homemaker for the majority of her life but did work for 15 years at Mattingly Brothers in Jefferson City and Boonville until her retirement in 1984. Rose Mary was a strong woman of faith and was currently a member of the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City. During her husband's ministry, they served many small congregations in both the southwest and central Missouri. She served as children's Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible school worker. She was an active member in Women's Missionary Union both at the local and association level. One of her favorite activities was a visitation ministry to church members in their homes. She was active as a Girl Scout leader, serving as cookie chairman for her daughter's troop and was also active in the PTA, serving as a room mother. She spent many summer days and nights canning and preserving fresh vegetables and fruit. Many family members and friends benefitted all winter long from her hard work. There was never a shortage of canned green beans, tomatoes, pickled okra, frozen corn and pear honey. Survivors include: two daughters, Sondra Allen and her husband Michael of Jefferson City, Mo. and Connie Bryson and her husband Danny of Hot Springs, Ark.; six grandchildren, Melissa Bryson Dowling of Austin, Texas, Jenny Allen Wyllie of Kansas City, Mo., Amanda Bryson of Hot Springs, Ark., Christopher Allen of Columbia, Mo., Matthew Allen of Columbia, Mo., and Spencer Bryson of Hot Springs, Ark. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 48 years, Rev. John Philliber; two sisters, Dora Kobus and Dorothy Leach; and two brothers, Lewis Tomlin Sr. and Rex Tomlin. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 22, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 23, 2012, at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager officiating. Graveside services and entombment will be held at the Mausoleum of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Mo., or the First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, Ark.. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com