Elwanda Rhaedean Phillips Sweeney Fish

Elwanda Rhaedean Phillips Sweeney Fish, daughter of the late William Edgar Phillips and Edyth Alice Shelley Phillips, was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Love, Ark.

She departed this life Nov. 16, 2013, at her home in Franklin, Ark., at the age of 80 years, three months and five days.

She spent her life as a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker and friend.

She brought so much joy to our lives and was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

She will be greatly missed, but we find peace in knowing that she is no longer in pain and will be rejoicing and visiting with all of her other loved ones in heaven.

During her working years, she owned and operated several restaurants in Arkansas and Alaska. She also cooked at Providence Alaska Medical Center, Mary Conrad Center and the Wasilla Senior Center. Elwanda was a great cook and made the best pies that you may have ever eaten. She was a member of the American Legion Post 35 Auxiliary and enjoyed her lunch dates with “The Geritol Gypsies.”

She was preceded in death by four husbands: Farrell Batterton, Grover Cooper, Joseph Sweeney and Donald Fish.

Surviving are her three sons and three daughters-in-law, Dean and Marilyn Batterton of Franklin, Ark., Mike and Ginger Sweeney of Palmer, and Kevin and Vonnie Sweeney of Palmer; three daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Matt Ketchum of Wasilla, Karen Johnson of Palmer and Christine and John Drashner of Palmer; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and many others who lovingly called her and knew her as Granny.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four husbands; four brothers; five sisters; son, Mark Batterton; two grandchildren, Tina Johnson and Chris Pierson; great-grandson, Cameron Sharp; and son-in-law, Maurice Johnson.

A memorial service was Nov. 27, 2013, at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel in Melbourne, Ark.

Honorary Pallbearers were Kohn Batterton, Lester Gross, Bruce Phillips, William Sharp, Wendell Collins, Bill Barnes, Steve Billingsley and Jack Stevens.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Wasilla.