Louella "Lou" (Rice) Phillips

Louella Rice Phillips, age 98, of Erwin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 05, 2025, at Governor's Bend Retirement & Assisted Living. She is a daughter of the late Joe Anderson Rice and Rita Bailey Rice. Lou lived most of her life in Erwin before moving to Johnson City for several years. 

Lou was an active member of 9th Street Baptist Church for numerous years. She was a member of the Ruth Class Sunday School. Lou retired from Hoover Universal after twenty-five years of service. A few years after her retirement from Hoover, Lou began working at Clinchfield Credit Union where she remained happily employed well into her 80's. 

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Lou was a meticulous homemaker, and she enjoyed growing beautiful flowers in her yard. She was a very fashionable, classy woman with exquisite taste. Lou had a bubbly, outgoing personality who lived her life to the fullest. 

She adored spending time with her family and Lou loved going on their family beach vacations. 

In addition to her parents, Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband of seventy-two years, William Robert "Rob" Phillips on May 13, 2019; her only grandson, whom she absolutely adored, Adam Phillips on October 29, 2024; six brothers: Alvie, Grady, Hoy, Phil, Jess and Kermit Rice; two sisters: Bessie Crane and Helen Peek.

Lou leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories, her two sons: Michael "Mike" Phillips and wife, Linda of Erwin, and Bradley "Brad" Phillips and wife, Amy of Knoxville; several nieces and nephews also survive.  

The Phillips family will receive friends on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Lou's funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m with Pastor Peter Layton officiating. Music will be provided by Grant Bridges and Becky Manfull.  Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Phillips family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. 

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Phillips family. (423) 743-1380.

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