Jean Phillips

Our sweet mother, Jean R. Phillips of White Oak Estates, passed away on July 16, 2022, with her daughters by her side. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Robert V. “Bob” Phillips who called her his “Jeannie.” She is survived by her daughters, Kim Phillips Gladden (Billy) of Rock Hill, SC and Rhonda Phillips Collins (Joel) of Columbia, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, William P. “Beau” Gladden (Christine), Michael P. Gladden (Maleah), Bradley Gladden, Clayton Gladden, Christy C. Rogers (Jody), Drew Collins, and Joel Collins, III (Sarah) and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom called her “Mimi.”

Mom was born in Pikeville, Kentucky to John and Minnie Ratliff. At a very young age, her family moved to Spartanburg. She graduated from Fairforest High School in 1952 and was on the editorial staff of the student newspaper, The Forester. She also wrote the Class Prophecy. She graduated from Limestone College with a B.S. degree in Management in 1983 while working full-time. She worked for Hoechst Fibers Industries for 20 years as a secretary and retired in 1988. She became very involved with the local James F. Byrnes Chapter of the National Secretaries Association holding a variety of offices including President, and was awarded Secretary of the Year in 1980. She was also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Mom was an active member of First Baptist Spartanburg and Young at Heart where special lifelong relationships were made. She volunteered at the Church Library and the American Cancer Society.

Mom was the BEST cook ever and loved entertaining her family and friends. She also loved to travel with her husband and so enjoyed taking the grandchildren on fun trips. She was an avid tailgater at Clemson football games for years and proudly wore the orange.

Mom was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge of her life with courage and dignity. She was a source of inspiration to us all and will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched. She was a woman of strong faith and instilled in us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right.

Mom, you will always be in our hearts. We love you. Rest in peace.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Friday, July 22, 2022, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A private family service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, P.O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304, online at http:// www.mobile-meals.org/donate.php or First Baptist Spartanburg, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, online at https:// onrealm.org/fbs/-/form/give/now .

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel