Lena Hawkins Phillips, 94, of Macon passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home in Cochran on Wednesday, August 26th at 12:00 noon with Pastor Lane Collins officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Cary.

Mrs. Phillips was born on October 17, 1931 to Minor & Elizabeth Shedd Hawkins in Cary, GA and upon graduation from high school, she moved to Macon where she later met and married the love of her life, Lee W. Phillips, with whom she shared 56 years of marriage until his death in 2006. Together they owned and operated Phillips Amoco Service Station on Gray Highway in Macon. She also retired from the State of Georgia as a teacher's aide having taught children in both Bibb and Bleckley Co. In 1988, Lee and Lena remodeled the farm house in Cary where she was born and she was able to move back “home” to her beloved farm.

Lena was a woman of great faith and she and her late husband were active members of Mt Calvary Baptist Church for many years. She had such a kind, giving spirit and loved the Lord with all of her heart. She loved others well and her friends & family loved and appreciated the blessing she was in their lives.

Lena had many hobbies including reading, sewing, playing cards with friends, and always wanting to learn new things and keep her mind sharp. When her children were small, she enjoyed taking them on camping and fishing trips with her late husband and letting them spend time with their cousins. Throughout her life, she traveled extensively. Having been born with a sense of adventure, she had been to 48 of the 50 states in the U.S., as well as Canada and the Caribbean. She also enjoyed planning and organizing the annual Phillips Family Christmas each year, sometimes at the farm and many times in the Smokey Mountains. So much fun was had by all and wonderful memories were made!

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in-law: Charles & Jackie Hawkins, Rev Jesse Hawkins & Margaret Hawkins, and Everett & Helen Hawkins. Most recently, she lost her daughter & son-in-law, Brenda Phillips Murphy & Terry Murphy and her granddaughter & grandson-in-law, Melissa Murphy Ellison & Kenneth Ellison.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Phillips Hayes of Gainesville, GA, her son, Leon Phillips (Sherrie) of Macon, her brother-in-law, Henry Phillips of Gray and her sister-in-law, Sherry Phillips of Gray. She was “Granny” to six grandchildren: Michelle Edwards Childs (Kenny) of Gainesville, Christopher Murphy (Dana) of Roopville, Brandi Phillips Nasworthy (Gene) of Macon, Ryan Phillips (Amanda) of Macon, Christin Haynes. Starling (Kelly) of Gray and Kelsey Stone Adair (Noah) of Columbus. She was “G-Granny” to eight great grandchildren: Amanda Ellison Summers (Logan), Matthew Nasworthy, Lillian Nasworthy, Finn Childs, Elwin Starling, Fletcher Starling, Aubrey Starling, and Gracie Lena Phillips. Lena is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mt Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or to Pine Pointe Hospice 6261 Peake Rd Macon, GA 31210.

The family would like to thank the staff of Pine Pointe Hospice for all the love and support, both at home and in the inpatient unit. A special thank you to Monica Vaught, her private caregiver at home. Our Mama truly loved all of you and you were a blessing not only to her but to all of our family.