Published on February 10, 2026 4:56 pm
Last Updated on February 10, 2026 4:56 pm
Betty Florine Phillips Elam, 97, of Effingham, Illinois, formerly of Greenville, Illinois, passed away on February 7, 2026 at Heartland Senior Living, Neoga, Illinois.
Betty was born on March 29, 1928 in rural Greenville to Forrest and Wava Merry. She attended Greenville schools graduating from Greenville High School in 1945. As a farmer’s daughter Betty developed a strong work ethic helping out as much as she could. When her father was severely injured in an accident, her mother moved with the children into Greenville into a home across the street from the First Baptist Church. When Betty was a young teenager she made her profession of faith – a foundation that guided her lifelong devotion to service. During those early years numerous aging family, missionaries, and senior adults were cared for in their home. Betty’s professional life was marked by both steadiness and ambition. After high school Betty and her older sister learned to be telephone operators. Then, Betty became a secretary and worked for businesses in St. Louis, Greenville, and Effingham and later, she built a successful career as the executive secretary for World Color Press in Effingham, for over twenty years. Not one for a quiet retirement, however, Betty chose to reinvent herself; she enrolled in Lake Land College classes and launched a second career as a Real Estate agent. Throughout her life, she remained a devoted daughter, frequently traveling back to Greenville to care for her aging mother. Betty’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She spent many years teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church, Effingham, Illinois. Later, she became an active member of New Hope Church and enjoyed her senior adult group Bible studies and activities.
Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, Wayne Edward Phillips, an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict; her second husband, Don Elam; her son, Gary Wayne Phillips; and her granddaughter, Charis Phillips Gohil.
She is survived by her son, Doug (Sally) Phillips of Columbia, MO; Grandchildren, Tracy Kitchens, of San Antonio, Texas, Jon Phillips, of Berlin, Germany, Brad (Beth) Phillips, of Nashville, Tennessee, andBrittany Phillips, of Effingham, Illinois. Also, Great Grandchildren, Aaden, Aubrey, and Avery Schoonover, LiLi Phillips, and Finn Phillips.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Online
condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.