Stephanie Phillips Cayson, 57, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the North MS Medical Center after a lengthy illness. She was born in Columbus, MS to Dr. Walter E. Phillips, Jr. and Barbara Ann Taylor Benton. She graduated from Brandon High School and Mississippi State University. She earned her Master's Degree in Education from Mississippi College. She taught math for 33 years, spending most of her years in north Mississippi at Tupelo Middle School and New Albany High School. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo where she enjoyed volunteering with the apartment ministry, leading crafts at Vacation Bible School, and spending time with her Table Group friends in the women's ministry. She enjoyed traveling, tailgating at MSU football games, and helping her students through tutoring, even after retirement. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Thursday at Memorial Garden Park in Starkville with Dr. John Boler officiating. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, David Cayson of Tupelo; her children, Alex Cayson (Meg) of Tupelo and Dr. Maggie Cayson Jackson (Forrest) of Mobile, AL; one grandson, Everett Russell of Tupelo; her parents, Dr. Walter E. Phillips, Jr. (Teresa) of Ooltewah, TN and Barbara Benton (Larry) of Tupelo; and her uncles, William Taylor, Jr. of Guntown and Bryan Phillips of Naples, FL.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Walter E. Sr. and Gloria Phillips and William and Maureen Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry at Calvary Baptist Church.

Visitation will be 3 – 6 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.