Josephine Philpott

Josephine (Kellum) Philpott, age 75, passed away in Ava, Missouri, on July 8, 2023, with family by her side. Josephine was born October 22, 1947, in Three Brothers, Arkansas, to John and Velma Kellum. Josephine was one of ten siblings. Her family later settled on a small farm north of Mansfield, Missouri. Josephine attended Mansfield High School and was the only sibling to graduate. When asked later in life about her motivation to graduate when all of her siblings chose a different path, she would say her parents gave her the option of going to work or staying in school and she thought staying in school was the better deal.

Josephine made her home close to the family farm where she raised her three children, Kristie (Philpott) Blakey, James “Keith” Philpott, and Jo Ellen “Jody” (Philpott) Smith. Josephine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often joined in on the play and was the best audience for all performances. Her laugh was contagious. She was a lover of coffee and always had some on hand. She found enjoyment in cooking, listening to music, reading her Bible, and working in various puzzle books. She spent her life taking care of others.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, John and Velma Kellum, sisters, Icle Elliott, Nora “Maxine” Todd, Floy “Marie” Suhr, and Virgie Tavis, brothers, A.D. Kellum and Johnny Kellum, son-in-law, Jim Dering, and daughter-in-law, Cristal Philpott, two nephews and one niece.

She is survived by her children, Kristie Blakey, James “Keith” Philpott, Jo Ellen “Jody” Smith and spouse, Robert, her sisters, Alta Mae Smith and Eva Lynn Leath, brother, Delmar Kellum, her grandchildren, Brittany and JK Sturgeon, Tara and Justin Coonce, Kendra and Trae Shelton, Lakota Blakey, Cristina Philpott, Amanda Philpott, Luke Smith, and John Smith, ten great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.