Madonna Fern (Phillips) Tipsword

Madonna Fern (Phillips) Tipsword, age 97, of Beecher City, went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2021 at 8:35 a.m. surrounded by her loving family. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Beecher City Church of Christ.  A Celebration of Madonna’s Life will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Beecher City Church of Christ with Reverend Dennis Warner and Brother Robert Peach officiating.  Burial will take place in Beecher City Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Beecher City Kluthe Center for upkeep or to the donor’s favorite charity. 

Madonna was born on May 3, 1924, in Fayette County, to Charles and Ethel (Kline) Phillips.  Her and her parents later moved to Effingham County where she attended area schools.  Madonna was a lifelong member of the Beecher City community.   She married Moses Tipsword on February 3, 1942.  Together they had one daughter, Shirley (Tipsword) Durbin.  Madonna was baptized and a lifelong member of the Gospel Assembly Church in Effingham. 

Madonna loved music, particularly playing her mandolin with the Beecher City Kitchen Band and her beloved church family.  She enjoyed gardening and canning with her family and volunteering in the community.  She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, and she loved spending time and traveling with her family and friends.  Madonna was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout her life.  

Surviving are her daughter, Shirley Durbin of Beecher City; grandchildren:  Connie (Bowlin) Gilbert of Beecher City, Jack Bowlin and wife Shelley of Beecher City and Shellie (Durbin) Witteborg and husband Tony of Beecher City; great-grandchildren:  Bridget Welter, Jordan Springer, Olivia, Jacquelynne and Charles Witteborg; four great-great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nephew, Delbert Miller and niece, Delores Ohnesorge. 

Preceding her in death were her parents; mother and father-in-law; sister, Sylvia Miller; son-in-law, Stanley Durbin and grandson-in-law, Ken Gilbert. 

Madonna was a joy to be around and will always be remembered by her friends and family for her smile and laughter, kind and loving nature and love for the Lord.  One of her favorite songs was “You are My Sunshine” and she was ours. 

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Madonna’s honor at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Madonna Fern (Phillips) Tipsword, please visit our floral store.