Kathryn Elizabeth Phillips' Obituary
Kathryn Elizabeth Phillips, aged 88, passed away peacefully February 18, 2025. She was born on September 10, 1936, at Hodges Hospital in Scottsboro, Alabama.
She retired after 32 years in public education during which she taught sixth grade and high school English, Social Studies, Psychology and Drama, directing many student plays and musicals. For eighteen of those years she was a certified Guidance Counselor at Stevenson and North Jackson High Schools. She began her education at Woodville Elementary School and later the family moved to Stevenson where she attended Stevenson Schools, graduating from Stevenson High School as Valedictorian of the class of 1954. She attended the University of Alabama and Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama), where she received her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, minoring in English and Social Studies. Beginning her career, she worked as a receptionist/secretary for the Registrar at Florence State Teachers College, and teaching at Florence Junior High School. Moving back to Stevenson in 1961, she taught sixth grade and served two years as interim Band Director for Stevenson High School. In 1971 she earned her master’s degree in Guidance & Counseling from the University of Alabama. Upon her retirement from public education, she taught both children and adults private music/piano lessons at Stevenson Middle School and in her home. She believed in the George Washington Carver quotation “Education is the Key to Unlock the Golden Door of Freedom”.
Music was a lifelong interest for Kathryn, having served as organist/pianist and choir member at Stevenson First United Methodist Church for over 40 years. She also served as a Sunday School/ Vacation Bible School teacher at this church. As an early self-taught web page designer, she created a web page for the church as well as Stevenson Depot Days, featuring Grand Marshalls and other people of local interest to Stevenson. She maintained a website, My Home in Stevenson, Alabama, featuring her ancestral home and the history of Russell Stables Harness Racing.
Animals have always been of great interest to Kathryn, particularly dogs and cats. She began her career as a dog hander/groomer with the Chow Chow breed, raising, breeding, and showing Pointed and American Kennel Club champions. She was a member of Chow Chow Club Incorporated as well as a lifetime member of the Chattanooga Kennel Club. Following a life altering leg accident, she changed focus to a smaller dog breed, the Tibetan Spaniel, breeding and showing Pointed, Champion, and Grand Champion dogs. She earned the prestigious title AKC Breeder Owner Handler, a Breeder of Merit title. She was a member of the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, William Harold Phillips and Helen Russell Phillips, brother Harold Russell Phillips, and uncles Sanders Russell and Pickens Russell. She is survived by her sister, Frances Phillips Crownover and brother-in-law Danny, niece Karen F. Phillips, nephews H. Russell Phillips, DVM, and wife Ann, Clay McKee and wife Melissa, Clayton Crownover and wife Jill, sister-in-law, Ann King Phillips, and several grandnephews and cousins.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the Funeral service at Rudder Funeral Home, Stevenson, officiated by Reverend Bill Stone and Bro. Danny Lee. Interment will be in the Stevenson City Cemetery, conducted by Rudder Funeral Home of Stevenson. Donations in her memory may be made to the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America, the Chattanooga Kennel Club, Welcome Way Methodist Church, formerly Stevenson First United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 1-3:00PM at Rudder Funeral Home and services will begin at 3:00PM in the Rudder Funeral Home Chapel, Stevenson.
The family would also like to thank Cumberland Health and Rehab and Southern Care New Beacon Hospice of the love and care they have shown to Kathryn.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathryn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathryn?
Share a story where Kathryn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathryn you’ll never forget.
How did Kathryn make you smile?
