Viola Mae Stephenson Phipps, 73, of Lower Harmony Road, Prospect, died unexpected Saturday evening at her home.

Born Jan. 15, 1933, in Butler, she was the daughter of Albert and Celia Bellis Stephenson.

She was a member of the Mount Nebo Presbyterian Church of Whitestown, where she served as an elder for a number of years.

Mrs. Phipps also was a member of the Pleasant Hill Extension Group of Prospect and enjoyed working word puzzles, quilting and gardening all kinds of flowers.

Surviving are her husband, Earl L. Phipps, whom she married July 17, 1951; two sons, Donald B. Phipps of Prospect and James E. Phipps of Buffalo, N.Y.; two grandsons; and a granddaughter. Two sisters, Mrs. Joe (Laura) Herold and Betty Krause, both of Butler also survive.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

<B>PHIPPS </B>— Friends of Viola Mae Phipps, who died Saturday, June 10, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home</B>, 387 Main St., Prospect. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Allison, her church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.For more information go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.