Phillips, Dorothy Arnold, 96 years of age, of Seminole, Florida died at her home on March 17,2018.  Dorothy, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, met Bill Phillips at a basketball game and was married to him for 60 years.  Dorothy moved to Gainseville, Florida in 1948, along with her husband Bill, who was in education in Pinellas County, serving as principal of Belleair Elementary.  Dorothy graduated with honors from the University of Florida where she recieved her Bachelor's degree and also her Master's degree in teaching exceptional children.  She began a 37-year career in education.  For five years she taught special education in Titusville, Florida then returned to the elementary classroom where she taught first grade.  Her last ten years of teaching were at Walsingham Elementary in Largo.  Dorothy, who was an exceptional reading teacher, instilled in those children a love for reading and that books were a treasure.  She believed, just as Dr. Seuss did, telling her first graders, "Oh, the places you'll go!"

For 43 years, Dorothy and Bill were happy living in Seminole at Seminole Lake Country Club where they were active members.  Dorothy thought she would enjoy playing golf, but Bill told her she could never be a good golfer beacuse she talked too much!  Dorothy loved her community of Seminole, referring to it as "our little City of Seminole".  She was proud of the outstanding accomplishments that the City Manager, Mayor and City Council members provided for the citizens of Seminole.  She was pleased when St. Petersburg College built its campus in Seminole with the diversity of college curricula offered at the Seminole campus.

On July 12, 2016, the Seminole City Council honored Dorothy with the first Legacy Proclamation award for her many years of service as a volunteer for the City of Seminole.  That evening Dorothy was presented with the Key to the City and a beautiful framed Legacy Proclamation, along with having July 12, 2016 named as the "Dorothy Phillips Day".

Dorothy, who was a true model of servant hood, loved working as a volunteer for the City of Seminole.  Since 1964 Dorothy was associated with the Seminole Community Library in a multitude of capacities. She was a member of the Friends of the Library and served as its President for eight years, helping to increase the Friends' membership during her service as President from a few members to over 200.  Over the years she served on the St. Petersburg College Library Resource Committee and the Seminole Library Advisory Board, much of that time serving as chairperson.  She was a strong supporter of the Joint College and Community Library of Seminole.  Her leadership on the board helped greatly in guiding the formation of the joint use library partnership between the City of Seminole and St. Petersburg College.

In 2006 Dorothy founded the Seminole Historical Society where she served as its first President.  She worked towards getting the Society firmly established and known in the community, coordinating efforts to preserve Seminole's history in artifacts and documents, and finding a permanent home and meeting place for the Society.

For nearly 50 years Dorothy was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma international society for women educators.  Her Chapter Alpha Phi of Delta Kappa Gamma held Dorothy close to their hearts, honoring her in 2000 as their "Alpha Phi Rose".  Dorothy was also a dedicated member of Chapter HK of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and member of the Pinellas-Seminole Women's Club.  As a proud alumna of the University of Florida, Dorothy nevermissed watching her Florida Gators, and her family and friends always knew to be quiet because "the game" was on.  She remained an avid Tampa Bay Bucs fan from the team's inception.

Since 1963 she was a resident of Seminole, and in 2006 she moved from Seminole Lake Country Club to Lake Seminole Square.  Over the past 15 years Dorothy performed stage readings of several former First Ladies, such as Dolley Madison, Lady Bird Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy.  Her neighbors and members of various community organizations in Seminole enjoyed her well-researched and vigorously presented stage readings, in which Dorothy brought history to life.

A women of deep-seated faith, Dorothy had been a member of Seminole United Methodist Church since 1962, where she served as Chairperson of the Administrative Board and the year-long Centennial Celebration, member of the Staff Parish Committee, the Scholarship Committee and Outreach Chairperson.  Over the years Dorothy worked with homeless individuals and their families; assisted with the Southeast Asian Preschool to secure teaching materials for the children; and taught reading in an adult literacy program.

Dorothy will always be remembered by her vivaciousness, her grace, and her Southern charm.  She was a beacon whose light has shined on so many.  Those whose lives she touched are grateful for the lasting influence she has had on them.

Dorothy, who was predeceased by her husband William E. (Bill) Phillips, is survived by her son Bill Phillips (Gloria) of Treasure Island; her daughter Jamie Phillips Stone (Martin) of Seminole, Florida; and her granddaughters, Julie Phillips of Tampa, and Amy Phillips of Chicago.

A private graveside service will be held at the historical Seminole Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances either to Oakhurst United Methodist Church, 13400 Park Blvd., Seminole, FL 33776; or to the Friends of the Seminole Library, 9200 113th Street North, Seminole, FL 33772.