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Birth
Born in Dallas Co. Arkansas to Isla Garmany Smith and Lemuel Pryor Smith - one of 9 children. (Pictured here are L.P. and Isla Smith) -
Woman at Work
For roughly ten years, from age 15-25, Isla worked as a seamstress. She was very skilled and quite sought-after by those in her community. (Pictured here is Isla [center,standing], her mother [seated, left], her grandmother, and siblings) -
Marriage
Isla married Homer Hodge Phillips Sr. when she was 26 years old. This was considered late for marriage. The couple's first child was born later that year. (Pictured here is Isla and HHP on the top and their wedding invitation on the bottom) -
WWI Begins
World War I began in Europe the same year that HHP and Isla Smith married and had their first child. The US wouldn't join the war for another two years. -
US Passes Selective Service Act
The US grew concerned with tensions in Europe and after a break with Germany, President Woodrow Wilson passed the Selective Service Act in May 1917. Isla Phillips' husband, Homer Hodge Phillips Sr. registered for the draft in 1917. Though he never had to fight, the fear of losing your husband and father to your two (the couple's second child was born in January 1917) young children was a great cause of concern for Isla Phillips. -
Great Depression Begins
The Stock Market Crash ushered in an era known as The Great Depression. For ten years, the US suffered the highest unemployment and inflation it'd ever seen. Everyone struggled to survive, retain their property, support their families. The Phillips Family made it through the Depression but lost two children and their home in the process. -
Isla Loses Two Children
The Great Depression spared no one. In Arkansas in 1931, roughly 100 babies/children died per 1000. In 1930, Isla's daughter died a month after she was born - her grave is marked "Baby Girl Phillips". In 1933, Isla's son (b. 1928) Van Troy died. While child mortality rates were high and it was not uncommon to lose a child, Isla's daughters Bennie and Mardel described both losses as "heartbreaking" for the entire family. -
Isla's Youngest Child Born
Daughter, Mardel Phillips was born. During the time that Isla had children, the birth rate in the US was about 3m born alive per year. Isla's daughter, Bennie Jean (93), recalls that her mother was pregnant for half her life. To quote her; "Mother was always pregnant. Sometimes we didn't even notice 'til we saw the baby. If she had morning sickness, she'd step out onto the porch, throw up, and come right back inside to cook breakfast." (pictured here is Isla, HHP, and their 7 adult children) -
Family Relocates to Little Rock
In 1939, after losing their farm in the Great Depression due to being unable to afford the taxes, the family moved to Rock St. in Little Rock. (Pictured here are the Phillips children and grandchildren on the steps of 600 Rock St. in downtown Little Rock) -
WWII Begins in Europe
WWII began in Europe when Germany invaded Poland in August. -
US Joins WWII
The US did not join the war until 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Isla had four sons, two of which served overseas during the war. Homer Hodge Phillips, Jr. and William "Bill" Phillips both served in the US Army. HHP Jr. served in the Army Air Force and Bill in infantry. James Phillips served in the Navy in California. Bennie Jean, Isla's daughter, recalls that her mother was "worried sick" until her boys came home safely. (Pictured here is Bill Phillips [left] during Army training) -
Munitions Factories Open in Arkansas
In 1941 six "ordnance" factories opened across Arkansas. Isla's husband was employed at one of the two factories in Pulaski Co. He was briefly let go, because he ignored safety protocol by carrying 2 bombs across the floor instead of just 1. He explained that he did so because he had two sons fighting in the war and he wanted to make sure he carried enough to cover them both. He was promptly rehired. ([Left] HHP Jr. & [right] James Phillips; sons who fought) -
HHP and Isla Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage
The couple celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary at their home on Rock St. surrounded by their children and grandchildren. The couple's seven surviving children became known as The Magnificent Seven by their children and grandchildren and this legacy lives on today through even further generations. -
HHP Dies From Heart Attack
HHP went into cardiac arrest at the family home on Rock St in Little Rock. He died at the hospital. It was the only time in their 55 years of marriage that they parted without saying "I love you". At this time, it was not uncommon to die of a heart attack. There were limited treatments for the damage suffered by the heart. -
Isla Phillips Dies
A little over a month after her husband's death, Isla passed away on Halloween at St. Vincent's in Little Rock, AR. Her granddaughter Kay Roy says "she died because she couldn't stand living without Homer Dad" -
The Magnificent Seven
Isla and HHP's seven adult children became successful educators, business people, and homemakers who were their parents' pride and joy. (Pictured here are the seven adult children - from L to R; Bennie Jean, Isla Catherine (Kitty), Mardel. Back row; William (Bill), James, HHP Jr., and Phillip (Phil).)
