Deann Marie (Smith) Phillips age 53, of Clinton, MO passed away ,Friday, January 11, 2019 due to an automobile crash near her home. Funeral service will be on Wednesday January 16, 2019 at 1pm with visitation from 11am-1pm at the First Assembly of God Church, Clinton, MO. Interment will follow at 4pm at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Lincoln, MO. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Deann was born December 18, 1965 to Elbert Lloyd Smith and Mary Frances (Hazel-Smith) Sumners of Lincoln, Missouri. Deann grew up in Lincoln, graduating from Lincoln RII High School in 1984. She received her bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri and her master's degree in Educational Technology from the University of Phoenix. At the time of her death she was working toward an advanced administration degree.

She was united in marriage to David L. Tolliver in June of 1984 in Warsaw, Missouri. To this union were born two children; Savanna M. Tolliver of Climax Springs, Missouri and Cierra N. (Tolliver) Schafer of Noxon, Montana.

Deann ws united in marriage to Troy J. Phillips on August 25, 1990 in Blue Springs, Missouri. To this union was born one child; Dakota L. Phillips of Climax Springs, Missouri.

Deann served as an 8th grade Communication Arts school teacher for the Clinton Middle School, Clinton, Missouri. Deann was loved by students and faculty alike; always willing to serve others, her passion for students and teaching was know by everyone.

Deann previously served as a school teacher at the Wheatland RII School District in Wheatland, Missouri for many years. She was responsible for a variety of subjects and classes during her tenure.

She was a previous member of the Cross Timbers Southern Baptist Church in Cross Timbers, Missouri until her relocation to Clinton, Missouri. During that time she served in multiple ministries, providing fellowship through singing and other activities, in addition to participation in various missions associated with the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her husband Troy J. Phillips of Cross Timbers, Missouri.

Deann and her step-daughter, Olivia met Jesus together in a tragic accident.

Surviving relatives include her children, Savanna M. Tolliver of Climax Springs, Missouri, Cierra N. and Charles Schafer of Noxon, Montana, and Dakota L. Phillips of Climax Springs, Missouri; her grandchildren Patience, Grace, Azlee, Timber, Georgia, Mercy, LeLa, Levi, Lauren, and Lakota; her parents, Elbert L. and Karen I. Smith of Lincoln, Missouri.; Mary F. and Dennis A. Sumners of Lincoln, Missouri; her siblings Carman L. and brother-in-law, Rex M. Scism of Columbia, Missouri, Jason A. and sister-in-law Christy L. Sumners of Columbia, Missouri, Julie R. and brother-in-law Jeremy L. Webb of Platte City, Missouri; her nieces and nephews Trenton M. Scism, Trey B. Scism, Tiffany D. Scism, Cooper O. Webb, Kendall R. Webb, and Caleb A. Sumners; and her fiancé Darren L. Phillips and her step-children Dalton, Kylee, Daniel, and Gabriela of Clinton, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home.