Betty Louise Phillips

Betty Louise Phillips, 95, of Wichita, Kansas, formerly of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. She was born May 20, 1930, in Baring, Missouri, the daughter of Orville Lewis and Edna Kemmer Walton. She graduated with honors from Central High School, Kansas City, Missouri; taking evening classes at Kansas City Junior College, Washburn University and Topeka High.

Betty was an executive secretary at the National Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Leon Triggs Insurance Agency and Gas Service Company in Kansas City, and for the Chief of Police and President of Victory Life Insurance Company in Topeka. She was promoted to supervisor of the Victory Life Insurance Company Information Center and later was in customer support at Modern Business Systems.

Betty was the Topeka charter President of the International Association of Information Systems Professionals and the Hi-Crest Neighborhood Improvement Association, serving as President or Vice-President or Secretary since 1989 and as Chair of the Community Development Advisory Council for two years. She served on the boards of the YWCA, Community Action, Tool Lending Library, on the Avondale East School Planning and Management Team, and as PTA President. She was also a volunteer secretary for the Mayor’s Commission on Affordable Housing and Topeka Housing Partnership, was a member of the Human Relations Commission and served on Weed and Seed Committees.

Betty received Distinguished Woman of the Year, Good Neighbor of the Year and Person of the Year awards in Topeka. She was a candidate for District 54 State Representative and was the campaign manager for Councilwoman Betty Dunn. In 2006, Topeka’s Highland Crest Park was renamed Betty Phillips Park in honor of her years of service to the community.

Betty married Frank Preston Phillips on June 7, 1956, in Harrisonville, Missouri. He preceded her in death on September 19, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lewis Phillip Walton.

Survivors include her son, Lawson Lewis Phillips, a grandson, Reston Kemmer Phillips, and six nieces and nephews.

Betty will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66607.

To leave the family a special message, please utilize the guestbook entries area shown below.

"If in my garden you seek and find a place to leave your cares behind, remember but once who made it so, then make it better before you go."

~Betty Phillips~