Joyce Darlene Norris-Phillips

Joyce Darlene Norris-Phillips (Tomlinson), 81, passed peacefully on March 13, 2026 at Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie, Indiana, with her daughters by her side.

Born on December 20, 1944 in New Castle, Indiana to Martha Lee (Baughan) and Ernest A. Tomlinson, Darlene graduated from Selma High School in 1963. She earned a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Education and two master’s degrees—one in Education and the other in Counseling Psychology—all from Ball State University.

Darlene devoted 39 years to teaching reading, beginning at Greens Fork School before teaching English and Reading at Hagerstown High School and New Castle Schools. She sponsored the Stage Club at Hagerstown, coached varsity girls track at both Hagerstown and New Castle, and proudly founded the STAR (Students At Risk) program in New Castle, offering academic support and guidance to students who needed encouragement. Many came to see her as a second mother. A passionate advocate for education, she instilled in her daughters the value of higher learning and the strength of independent womanhood. After retiring, she worked as a language arts consultant with McDougall-Littell and lovingly cared for her mother, aunt, uncle, and husband.

She cherished hosting family holidays, playing card games, and spending time with her retired teacher friends, Rock Steady friends, lifelong friends, and neighbors she considered extended family. Darlene was a loving mother, aunt, and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her sisters Angie (Gary) Proud and Paula (Steve) Dyer; daughters Dee (Dan) Norris-Helms and Leisha (Scott) Elchert; brother- and sister-in-laws Nick (Jenny) Norris and Jennifer (Jim) Carmichael; bonus daughter Brenda (Mike) Craig; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 27 years, Rodney A. Phillips.