Laura Josephine (Heltzell) Phillips

Laura Josephine (Heltzell) Phillips, age 94, of Kansas City, MO, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Born in Iberia, MO, on January 5, 1932, she was the daughter of the late John S. and Eva Lena Heitzell. On May 21, 1949, she was united in marriage to Ralph Jennings Phillips, who preceded her in death on March 13, 2003.

A woman of strong faith, Laura was a dedicated member of the Blue River Church of Christ. She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest joy was her family.

She is survived by her four children, Steven Phillips, Cynthia Wilson-Hudgins, Wendy Miranda, and Kevin Phillips; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Bobby Pemberton of Iberia, MO and Patsy Law of San Antonio, TX.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her sister, Better Robertson; her son, Ralph Dennis Phillips; granddaughter, Neilly Hahn; and two infant grandsons.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Laura’s life during a memorial visitation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia, MO. Inurnment will follow at a later date in the Iberia Cemetery.