Mrs. Katie Phillips

OXFORD – Katie Phillips left her temporary home on Sunday, May 14 after 92 ½ years to enter her eternal home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are confident she is standing on Holy Ground. Celebration of her Life will be on Thursday, May 18 at First Baptist Church of Oxford at Noon. A private graveside for family will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:30 on Thursday. Leading her celebration of life will be Dr. Jim Auchmuty, Rev. Gary Cornelius, Dr. Mark Holbrook and Keith O’Dell. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her 3 daughters, Susan (Bobby) Haynes, Kathy (Keith) O’Dell and Jan (Sean) Hayes. Her precious grandchildren are Taylor (Beth) Hayes, Kyle (Lauren) O’Dell, Graham (Destiny) Talley, Katie (Jake) Lee, Tanner Hayes and Ashley (Cody) Newberry. The joys of her life were her great-grandchildren, Nora Kate Lee, Byrdie and Sophie Hayes, Cooper Newberry, Gracie Vaughn, Mayer Sanders and more great grands arriving this year. She was dearly loved by her niece and nephew, Phyllis Greene and Richard Strickland. Preceding her in death is her husband of 54 years, Don Phillips; her parents, Arnold and Eva Graham and her sister, Glennie Strickland. Katie was an active member of First Baptist Church Oxford where she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher to the Charity Sunday School class and ministered to the Senior Adults in her church. She graduated from Howard College (Samford University) and taught physical education and special education for many years. She was a pastor’s wife and filled that role with such love and kindness. She had a servant’s heart and continued to minister to others until her last breath. She was the definition of a true friend, maintaining many friendships through the years. Her passion was sending cards and connecting through phone calls. There are many people who will miss receiving those cards and hearing her voice. Hundreds of cakes were made and shared with others over the years. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Taylor, Kyle and Graham; nephew, Richard; and dear friends, Greg Hollon and Greg Hethcox. Honorary pallbearers will be members of her Sunday School class, who she loved dearly. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Baptist Church Ministry Fund, 95 E Oak St, Oxford, AL 36203 to continue the ministries she was so passionate about. If Katie could have one last conversation with you, she would want to tell you about her Jesus. In her memory, please listen to the song, My Jesus by Anne Wilson and she would say Thank You and I Love You. Miller Funeral Home, Oxford will direct the service.

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Mrs. Katie Phillips

November 8, 1930 - May 14, 2023