Mattie Lee Phillips Elkins

November 23, 1934 - August 20. 2026

Mattie Lee Phillips Elkins, age 91, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 25, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church where Mattie and Oren were lifelong members. The family will receive friends at 2:00 p.m., with the service beginning at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery with a reception afterwards in the church fellowship hall.

Mattie was born on November 23, 1934, in Chatham County, North Carolina to the late Barney and Ellen Phillips. She graduated from Bonlee High school where she excelled in sports including softball and basketball and was voted most athletic during her senior year. Shortly after graduation she married her husband of 66 years, Oren. Together they raised 3 children and maintained a chicken growing business where Mattie played a primary role as Oren worked various other jobs over the many years that followed.

Mattie was active in the church. She was also an avid gardener and took pride in canning and freezing home-grown vegetables and fruits and making jelly from freshly picked wild blackberries. She loved cooking and finding new recipes, and she took great pleasure in preparing meals for her family.

In addition to her parents, Mattie was preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, Oren, as well as her siblings, Archie Phillips (Betty) and Faye Fitts (Bill). She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Carter Elkins Watrous, who loved his Papa and Meemoo with all his heart. Mattie leaves behind a large family who loved her deeply, including her 3 children, Cynthia Watrous (Charlie), Phillip Elkins, Susan Kidd (Stan); 7 grandchildren, Charles Watrous (Nancy), Taylor Clukey (Ryan), Brittany Capolupo (Lewis), Brandon Elkins, Caston Elkins, Eastan Kidd, and Trevor Kidd; 6 great-grandchildren, Jordan Orena Watrous, Charles "Charlie" Elkins Watrous, Cooper Clukey, Krisalyn Capolupo, Lewis "Cappy" Capolupo, and Banner Elkins. She will also be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

One of our Mama's biggest wishes was to spend her final years in the home that she shared with her loving husband of many decades. There were various people who helped make this possible for her. The family would like to sincerely thank Erica, her aide, for all the help and good company she provided to our Mama, our Meemoo; and a huge thanks to Meals on Wheels and all the volunteers who graciously delivered her hot meals and spoke kind words to her each time. We also want to express our utmost gratitude to Joyce and Clint, neighbors who are more like family to us, for keeping an eye on her and always helping when needed, and to Evan for keeping her yard so perfect. Finally, we would like to thank the group of church ladies who would visit Mama and laugh and talk and tell stories that brought so much joy to her day.

Memorial contributions may be made out to Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cementary Fund, 17721 NC Highway 902, Bear Creek, NC 27207

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.