Tupelo - Ethelda Phillips Nail, 85, died Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born July 1, 1924, in Rome, Miss., the daughter of Vester and Leona Benson Phillips. She grew up in Grenada County and married Kenneth Nail on November 19, 1942. He preceded her in death April 7, 2004. They had made their home in Tupelo since 1947. She was active in her community through Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Garden Club and volunteering at the North Mississippi Medical Center, and the Christian Women's Club. She lived the past six years at the Mitchell Center where she had many friends. She was a longtime faithful member of Parkway Baptist Church.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Parkway Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Brashier officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include one daughter, Susan Bozeman (Tommy) of Tupelo; two sons, Ken Nail Jr. of Jackson and John Nail (Mimi) of Tupelo; one brother, Don Phillips of Brandon; five grandchildren, Beth Bozeman Van Der Jagt (Scott) of Memphis, Tenn., Amanda Nail Wilson (Jack) of Madison, Emily Nail of Philadelphia, Jay Nail of Memphis and Jenny Nail of Clearwater, Fla.; two great-grandchilden, James Van Der Jagt and Emma Kate Van Der Jagt; and longtime friend, Gwen Shumpert of Tupelo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Nail; her sister, Frances Friszell; her brothers, Maurice Phillips and Harry Phillips, Jr..
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church, 1302 Lee St., Tupelo MS 38804.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at
www.peguesfuneralhome.com