Memorial services for Arbidean "Abbie" Phillips, age 79, of Lemmon, SD, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Prince of Peace Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. Rev. Allen Wickstrom will officiate with burial at a later date.

Alma Arbidean "Abbie" Osborne was born in Squire, West Virginia to Carl and Annie (Moore) Osborne. She attended school and grew up in Squire. At the age of 16, she met a young man, Melvin Phillips and became good friends over the next four years.


On March 8, 1957, Abbie and Melvin were united in marriage and for the next 58 years they worked together and faithfully raised their two children, Dwight and Carolyn. Abbie and Melvin lived in many locations, following Melvin's work but retired and settled in Lemmon, SD. They made many good friends there and enjoyed being members of the Assembly of God Church in Hettinger, ND.

Abbie's granddaughter, Jessica, remembers that Abbie was always miles away but their relationship never changed. Jessica always knew she could call and confide in Abbie, and Abbie in turn would always point her in the right direction. Jessica trusted her with all her heart and Abbie was not only her grandmother but was her rock and her best friend.

Her granddaughter Amy remembers her as a loving, honest, caring and God fearing woman. She was a faithful woman of Christ and always supported and loved Amy. They spent many wonderful vacations together, and Amy will always cherish those memories.


Abbie passed away on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

She is survived by her lifelong friend and husband, Melvin Phillips, Lemmon, SD; one son, Dwight (Sherry) Phillips; one daughter, Carolyn (Herb) Bogert; four granddaughters, Amy (Bradley) Gayheart, Amanda Bogert, Jessica (Kevin) Turner and Candice Bogert; four great-grandchildren, Bryson and Bane Gayheart and Hailey and Kinsley Turner; one brother, Boyd (Cindy) Osborne; three sisters, Lorina Young, Kathleen Jacobs and Elizabeth Price; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.