Ethel M. Phillips Oatman

Ethel M. Phillips Oatman, 73, of Fritch, Texas died Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Memorial service will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Fritch, Texas, 404 S. Cornell, Fritch, Texas. Burial will be in Stinett Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Ethel was born on June 23, 1952 in Dumas, Texas to Lillian “Mae” Harnum and Corder “Carter” Grover Phillips. She was later raised by her step-father, Floyd Tinkham.

Ethel married Stephen Oatman on September 3, 1987, in Borger, Texas at the Bunavista Community Center.

Ethel had been a pharmacy tech at Albertsons Save-On Pharmacy. She also donated a lot of her time to service at the church. Ethel was a member of First United Methodist Church where she served in the kitchen and also as the Administrative Council Chair.

Ethel was the rock of her family. She loved spending time with each of them and would make each family member feel special by remembering their birthdays and anniversaries. Although Ethel became disable at 55 years old, she never let it affect her, she was too stubborn for that. She always was positive and kept pushing through each challenge she faced.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae Phillips Tinkham, Carter Phillips, and Floyd Tinkham; and her daughter, Heather Matusiak Norton.

Ethel is survived by her husband, Stephen Oatman of Fritch; daughters, Carrie and husband Jason Richard of Sanford, TX, and Jennifer Matusiak of Fitchburg, MA; son, Scott and wife Jennifer Matusiak of Borger, TX; sisters, Linda and husband Duane Curry of New Hampshire, and Patty Jenkins and husband Jim of New Hampshire; brothers, Donald and wife Sharon Phillips of Stinett, TX and Bobby Tinkham of Danvers, MA; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.