Mrs. Ruenelle Phillips Start, age 89, of Oak Park died Sunday, September 8, 2013 in Bethany Assisted Living after an extended illness. She was a native of Oak Park and lived most of her life in Emanuel County. In 1988, she retired after thirty-three years of service from Oxford Industries and was a member of the Oak Park United Methodist Church. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was preceded in death by her husband of forty-seven years, W.N. Phillips, and husband of thirteen years, John Start; grandson, Christopher Fails; five brothers, Olin, Lemuel, Bernard, Huey, and Jeff Williamson.

Mrs. Start is survived by five children, Rebecca Peterson and husband Ray of Watkinsville, Van Phillips and wife DoRee of Vidalia, Jodale Fails and husband Wayne of Greenville, S.C., Rhonda Lanier and husband Wayne of Tallahassee, FL, and Nathan Phillips and wife Heidi of Odum; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Friday, September 13^th at 10:30 am in the Oak Park United Methodist Church with Reverend Ronnie Register and Reverend Kenneth Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Park City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Park United Methodist Church, 409 West 9^th Street, Vidalia, GA, 30474.

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