Jessie Phillips

Jessie Lethie Eberhart Phillips, 79, passed away on Feb. 24, 2015, at a local healthcare facility. She had retired from Atlas Paper Box, Inc. She graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham, Able Toastmaster, and attended Tuskegee Institute. She was a member of the following organizations: A. Phillips Randolph Institute, Chattanooga Area Labor Council (AFLCIO), Toastmaster, Menlo Park Neighborhood Association, Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women Club Life Member and JFK. Jessie was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for 53 years, where she served as Church Clerk for 31 years; Pilgrim Joy District Association Clerk and Mothers Board. Her hobbies included, traveling, playing piano, gardening, and reading. Preceding in death are her husband, Ralph A. Phillips Sr.; parents, Eliza and M.C. Eberhart Sr.; brothers, M.C. Eberhart Jr. and Marvin Eberhart; sisters, Etta Adams, Harriet Copeland, Constance Carson; granddaughter, Leslee R. Phillips; niece, Robin Adams; and grand-niece, Keisha Eberhart; special friends, Charlie Swafford and Jim Bell. Survivors include her children, Rickey D. Phillips Sr., Robert (Sylvia) Phillips, Ruthie P. (Michael) Church, all of Chattanooga; Ralph (Candy) Phillips Jr., Ellington, Conn.; Leroy (Nell) Phillips, Larry Phillips, of Lafayette, Ala.; sister, Colleen Gavros; sisters-in-law, Georgia Banks, Doris Phillips and Diane Eberhart, all of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Rickey Phillips Jr., Jesse C. Phillips, Sylvia Phillips, Jessica Phillips, JeLenah Ashmore, Shannon Phillips, Rebecca Phillips, Vickie Phillips, Anthony Phillips, Rodney Phillips, Lisa Phillips; five great-grandchildren; Geneva Johns, cousin; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; longtime friends, Ronnie Hughley, Cynthia Cash, MiMi Ware, Celeste Woods, Betty Garth, Barbara Reed and Ruby Davis and Susie Robinson; special caregivers, niece Sandra H. Carson and daughter-in-law Valerie Phillips. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in the chapel with Dr. Steve A. Caudle officiating. Interment: Hamilton Memorial Gardens. The body will lie in state after noon today and the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.