Phillip Lee Kittrell
Phillip Lee Kittrell, Marshfield, was born April 10, 1935, to Garrett and Della (Brixey) Kittrell on the family farm south of Marshfield, MO. He departed this life on March 29, 2024, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield, at the age of 88.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose Kittrell; his parents; nine brothers, (which Phil was the ninth of twelve kids) Donald Kittrell, Paul Kittrell, Claude Kittrell, Robert Kittrell, Ray Kittrell, Jack Kittrell, Harry Kittrell, Bruce Kittrell, Larry Kittrell; one sister, Helen Shubin; and son-in-law, David Mann.
He is survived by three daughters, Kristi Mann, Marshfield, Lori Hutton, Marshfield, Holli Henslee and Steve, Marshfield; four grandchildren, Rebecca Roderique and James, Niangua, Amy Collins and Robert Frazier, Marshfield, Drew Henslee, Marshfield, Carly Henslee, Marshfield; three great grandchildren, Jasper Collins, Hampton Collins, Emerald Rose Frazier; one brother, Jerry Kittrell, Charlotte, Tennessee; two sisters-in-law, Mary Lee Kittrell, Oklahoma, Shirley Kittrell, Nixa; brother-in-law, Jim and Linda Grigsby, Marshfield; and several nieces and nephews.
Phil, his brothers, cousins, and neighbors walked 2 ½ miles to St. James School for his first 5 years of schooling. In April of 1946, they sold the family farm and moved to Marshfield, 2 blocks from the School. On moving day, Phil and his brother Harry were in charge of walking the milk cow to town on A Hwy which was a gravel road at that time. It only took 2 ½ hours.
Phil always had a serving heart to help his family. After his 7th grade year, he spent the summer helping cousins on their farm in Appleton City, and later that year, he moved in with his grandparents for a time helping them as their health was declining. Phil also worked at the MFA grocery store from his 8th grade year until high school graduation.
After graduation, Phil joined the Navy and entered radio school, then served on the USS Valley Forge for 4 years, and was in the reserve for 4 years. While in the Navy he traveled to Spain, Portugal, Nova Scotia, many islands in the Caribbean, Cuba, and Panama Canal.
After serving in the military, Phil came back to Marshfield and bought the Pastry Shop. He was famous for his homemade hamburger buns, sweet rolls, wedding cakes, pastries, and donuts. It was at the Pastry Shop where he met the love of his life Rose. Rose would eat lunch and Phil would throw dough balls at her. They married in 1961.
Phil was employed at Sho Me Power and retired in 1997 after 32 years. When Phil wasn’t working, he was an avid gardener. In the summer Phil and Rose would always preserve the many vegetables and fruits they grew. He passed this knowledge down to his daughters and grandchildren. In his later years Phil and Rose loved to attend the Marshfield Assembly of God church.
Faith and Family were the two most important things to Phil. Phil instilled those qualities in his children and grandchildren. He loved his family more than anything except for God and was always there for them.
Funeral services will be Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc. Interment, with full military honors by Webster County Veteran’s Memorial Team and the U.S. Navy, will be in Marshfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Thursday before funeral services in the funeral home.