Jo Ann “Bear” Phillips

Funeral Services for Jo Ann “Bear” Phillips, 58, was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at First Baptist Church Snyder with Rev. Landon Warren, Pastor, officiating.
Burial followed in Fairlawn Cemetery, Snyder, Oklahoma under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
Jo Ann “Bear” Phillips was born on June 16, 1967, in Lubbock, Texas to Manuel and Mary Lee (Vargas) Martinez. She had the great joy of growing up in a large family with eight siblings. In 1981, Jo Ann and her family moved to Snyder pursuing job opportunities as farmers. She graduated from Snyder High School in 1985.
Jo Ann met the love of her life, Michael Robert Phillips, in Snyder while Mike was stationed on Fort Sill. On February 1, 1989, the two traveled to Vernon, Texas to begin their 37 years of marriage.
Jo Ann was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Snyder, where she faithfully served. She had a generous heart and a servant’s spirit, always finding ways to bless others through her talents and kindness. An accomplished seamstress and floral designer, Jo Ann loved creating beautiful arrangements for friends, family, and members of her community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she put her sewing skills to work by making masks.
Jo Ann enjoyed shopping, especially at Target and local thrift stores, and took great pride in finding a good bargain. She also loved the outdoors and could often be found hiking at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge or fishing alongside her husband.
Above all, Jo Ann was devoted to her family. She worked tirelessly as a homemaker, turning their house into a home, tending her garden filled with white daisies, and caring for those she loved. Fiercely protective of her family, she earned the nickname “Bear” because of her unwavering love and determination to watch over them. Jo Ann said her greatest accomplishment in life was having two great sons and a loving husband. She treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren, who brought her immense joy and pride.
Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel Martinez, Sr. and Mary Lee Martinez; uncle, David Morales; mother, Sally Tarango; and granddaughters, Madilyn and Evelyn Phillips.
She is survived by her loving husband, Michael Phillips; sons, Jonathan and Tymothee Phillips; siblings; Albert Morales Sr., Daniel Morales Sr., Ruben Martinez, Manuel Martinez Jr., Becky Green, Ernest Morales, Michael Tarango, and Mary Ann Tarango; and 3 grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church Snyder’s building fund.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com