Benae Phillips

Bara Benae Phillips was born June 6, 1951 in Tulsa Oklahoma to J.T. and Juna Phillips departed this life on January 7, 2017.

Her early education was at Oliver Wendell Holmes school in Tulsa, OK.
When her family moved to a small ranch in Rogers County she attended elementary school at Justus and Claremore High School.

She was very active in 4-H club, especially horse shows where she won numerous trophies throughout the state. She was also a member of Clem’s Cowpokes youth group of young riders who performed intricate square dances on horseback, appearing at horse shows and rodeos throughout Oklahoma.

Her college education was at Northeastern State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and also in Counseling. She also earned a Master’s degree in Speech Therapy.

Benae very much enjoyed teaching and loved her students dearly. She retired after thirty-two years.

Benae loved nature and animals of all kinds. She enjoyed fishing with her full blood Cherokee grandmother, who also taught her to speak and write the Cherokee language. Benae could also sing some songs in Cherokee. She was so proud to be a member of the Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club.

One of Benae’s greatest loves was gospel music and the many “well-known” gospel singers who were her close personal friends.

Benae was baptized at an early age and had a strong faith in the Lord.

She is survived by her mother Juna Phillips of Claremore, sister Kim Gardner of Nashville, TN, sister Amy Lisa Phillips Waldroop and husband Micah of Broken Arrow, J.B Phillips of the home, niece Nicole Mitchell of Nashville, TN and her two daughters Aubrey and Lauryn; nephew Cody Buffington Phillips and a host of friends.

Benae was a very personable and loved by people. She will be missed greatly by those who knew her buzzing around town in her little red jeep. She will be missed by many.