Phillips Funeral Home

06/03/2026

Update on Kalyana
We found out last night Kalyana has a partially collapsed lung and a small pleurl effusion. Her fever spiked, started have chest tightness, and her heart rate was very high all day yesterday and most of today. Around 4pm today, she started feeling better and her heart rate has came down a lot. Her heart rate and fever are still both high, but better than before. The doctor said she is looking better and he was able to pull the ng tube. That was huge relief for her. The doctor is optimistic her breathing issues will resolve on their own. Her urine output has also been much better late this afternoon. She is npo, the doctor has not said when she may be able to start drinking. The pain team has control of the pain, which is a huge blessing.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. We appreciate everything.

06/02/2026

Update on Kalyana
The surgery went well. The renal vein had a kink in it. This was repaired and the size of the renal vein was expanded with bovine pericardium. The gonadal vein was tied off. He also addressed some blood flow issues.

Last night was rough. The pain was uncontrollable even with a pain pump and additional medicines. The pain team is switching the medicine in the pain pump and adding 2 additional pain meds. Praying this really helps.
This will be a very painful recovery. The doctor let us know that before surgery. She has a very large incision and changing blood flow causes pain, also.
This picture is right before surgery. You may notice her hair is short now. She had it cut Sunday to donate it before her surgery.
Thank you for your concern, prayers, texts, and kind thoughts. Kalyana can really use them.

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Prayer Request!
Kalyana Sain (Lacey's daughter /Kale's granddaughter) is having surgery today at Arkansas Children's Hospital for a rare vascular disease called Nutcracker Syndrome. Kalyana has suffered with this condition all of her life. She is 16 years old. Nutcracker Syndrome is caused when the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery compress the renal vein. Nutcracker causes numerous symptoms and complications. This is the second surgical attempt to open the renal vein and allow blood to leave the kidney. The first attempt was unsuccessful and led to pelvic congestion syndrome, another vascular compression. Please pray this surgery is successful and send us good thoughts.
Vascular compression diseases are rare. Please help spread awareness.

05/30/2026

Donna Sue (Sims) Martin a cherished mother, grandmother, and devoted family woman, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Born on August 1, 1947, in Leachville, Arkansas, Donna's life was marked by a deep commitment to her loved ones and a vibrant spirit that touched all who knew her.

Donna dedicated much of her professional life to Emerson Electric, where she built a career before retiring to focus on her greatest passion—her family. Her proudest accomplishments were centered around those closest to her; she was a fun-loving soul who treasured the times spent with her family, particularly delighting in having her granddaughter, Rebecca Allman, and her friends spend the night with her. Donna’s warm and welcoming nature made her home a place of joy and laughter.

A lover of games, Donna enjoyed playing board games and card games, activities that brought family and friends together in spirited camaraderie. Alongside her husband, Phillip, she was also active in a line dancing group, embracing the joys of music and movement with enthusiasm and grace. The family’s trips to Norfork Lake were among her cherished moments, reflecting her love for creating lasting memories with those she held dear.

Family was without question Donna’s number one priority. She is lovingly remembered by her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Karina Martin; her son, Timmy Martin; and her granddaughter, Rebecca Allman, along with Rebecca’s husband, Kyle. Donna also is survived by her cherished niece, Mitzie Reddick and many more nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. The ties to her family were the foundation of her life, and their presence in her heart was strong to the very end.

Donna was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Graham and Iva Mae (Sanders) Sims; her devoted husband, Phillip Martin; and her siblings, Vernon Sims, Reba Flanery, Harold Sims, and Jerry Sims.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 3, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. The procession will leave Phillips Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. for a graveside service at Wood’s Chapel Cemetery.

Brad Hyde, Bailey Hyde, Windell Rawls, Kyle Allman, Blaine Rockwell, and James Beck will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, Donna would be honored with donations to the Wood’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Danny McDaniel, 1100 South 14th Street, Paragould, AR 72450.

05/29/2026

Are you looking to honor a veteran's military service at their final goodbye? Check out these 20 ideas for how you can personalize a beloved veteran's funeral to highlight and celebrate their military service in a way that is tailored to their one-of-a-kind story.

There are so many way to go about personalizing a veteran's final tribute. Here are 20 ideas to get you started with your own brainstorm!

05/28/2026

Phillips Funeral Home celebrated the May birthdays at the Sr. Bee's today. Happy Birthday!!

05/28/2026

Consuelo “Connie” Dela Cruz Roxas, a cherished and beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas. Born on December 31, 1931, in Manila, Philippines, Connie lived a life marked by devotion to her family and a rich tapestry of talents and interests that touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Connie played guitar during her younger years. She taught herself to play electric guitar, her favored melody was the timeless “Spanish Eyes.” Her artistic spirit extended into the delicate craft of crochet, and she was also celebrated for being a wonderful cook. Her specialty dish: laing, a regional dish from the Bicol region where she grew up. Each of these gifts reflected her warmth and commitment to her loved ones. Above all, she loved and cared deeply for her family, making their happiness and well-being the cornerstone of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paulino and Brigida Dela Cruz; her husband, Benny Roxas; and her children, Romy Roxas and Delia Roxas. Alongside them rest her siblings Enrique Dela Cruz and Terio Dela Cruz.

Connie is survived by her children: Ellen Hailey (husband Steve), Zeny Roxas, Rey Roxas (wife Jocelyn), and Renato Roxas (wife Irene). She also leaves behind a loving brother, Danilo Dela Cruz.

Her grandchildren are Leilani Luce, Jeff Lopez, Rodzen Roxas, Heidie O’Connor, and Sheryl Grace Roxas, who reside in America. While Joanna, Ivy, PJ, RD, Anthony, Aris, Chery, Rochelle, Romy Jr., and Ron Ron reside in the Philippines plus numerous great grandchildren who will continue to carry her legacy in their hearts.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and celebrate the life of Consuelo “Connie” Dela Cruz Roxas during the visitation on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 1:00 PM until service time at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM at Phillips Funeral Home with Pastor Jesse Allen Dollars officiating.

Her memory will remain a guiding light, a source of comfort, and an enduring inspiration. In honoring her life, we remember a woman whose kindness and generosity brought joy, love, and harmony into the lives of those she held dear.

May she rest in peace.

Psalms 84:11 (KJV)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

05/28/2026

Mary Jane Ballard passed away on May 26, 2026, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Born on September 14, 1972, in Quitman, Arkansas, Jane lived a life marked by creativity, devotion to family, and a warm spirit that touched all who knew her.

Jane’s remarkable talent in diamond art was a testament to her very creative nature, bringing beauty and joy into her life and the lives of those around her. She held a deep love for her family and cherished the moments spent shopping with her mother and daughter, experiences that she treasured dearly. Her kindness, creativity, and love for those close to her remain enduring parts of her legacy.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Carl Wesley Ballard, who stood beside her with unwavering love; her loving mother, Carol Spradlin; and her cherished daughter, Ally West, along with Ally’s husband, Hunter. Jane also leaves behind her brother, Paul Dean Spradlin (Doris); and nieces, Amber and Addi Swan, whose presence provided her with a strong familial foundation.

Jane was preceded in death by her father, John Paul Spradlin, whose memory she held close throughout her life. She was also preceded by her grandparents, Roy and Maxine Spradlin and Allen Cecil and Marjorie Oliver.

A visitation will begin at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 30, at Phillips Funeral Home. A memorial service to honor Jane’s life will begin at 3:00 PM at Phillips Funeral Home.

05/27/2026

Betty Dean Riley, age 88, passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family. She was born in Paragould, Arkansas, to her parents, Cephus Elmo Duff and Reba Beatrice (Mitchell) Duff. Betty was the second eldest of their six children. She entered the world during the Great Depression, and though her family was poor in earthly possessions, they were rich in love, faith and family...some of the things that Betty valued the most in her life. Without a doubt, Betty always lived her life with strength, kindness, and immense devotion to those she loved. She made homes in both Illinois and Arkansas, leaving behind a lasting impact on those who were blessed to know her.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Earl Riley; her children, Charles Abbott, Donnie Joe Abbott, and Robin Kirtley Cervantes; alongside several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Billie Jean Stanfield, Douglas Edward Duff, Bobby Joe Duff, and Elounda Bernice Baldwin.

Betty's passing on at this time holds great significance for her family, as her eldest child Terry Renee Snodgrass passed away exactly one year prior on Memorial Day, we find peace in knowing they can be together once again, alongside her younger sister Melba Sue Thornsberry, who passed in 2017, and many others who have been waiting to be reunited on the other side.

Betty was a beautiful soul and she will always be remembered for her loving heart, unwavering faith, and devotion to her family. It's without a doubt her memory will always live on in the hearts of those who love her.

A memorial service will be held June 13, at noon, at Fairview Baptist Church.