Lessie R Phillips' Obituary
March 15, 1924 - April 17, 2025
With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Lessie Rae Phillips-known affectionately as "Rae" to her many friends-announces her peaceful passing on April 17, 2025, at the age of 101.
Born and raised in the Buckhead Community of South Carolina, Rae carried a lifelong love for "Buckhead," as she always called it-almost as deep as her love for fishing, which brought her joy, peace, and plenty of stories. Her roots ran deep, and so did her love for the place and the people who shaped her.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Iben Hayes Phillips, Sr., and by her beloved daughter, Pamela Parker, in 2004. She is fondly remembered by Pamela's husband, Tom, who remains a cherished part of the family.
Rae is survived by her three loving sons: Iben Hayes Phillips, Jr. (Regina), Timothy Wynn Phillips (Tatiana), and Robert Matthews Phillips (Debra).
She was a proud and loving grandmother to ten grandchildren: Rachel Marie Phillips, Joshua David Phillips, Benjamin Matthew Phillips, Timothy Phillips, Elizabeth Roop, Lynsey Parker, Tamara Cupka, Thomas Rourk, Erica Dale, and Justin Phillips. She was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, each one a treasured part of her enduring legacy.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Rae was a long-standing member of Buckhead Advent Christian Church in Smoaks, South Carolina, where she worshiped faithfully and found great joy in her church family.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Ott's Funeral Home in Branchville, South Carolina. The viewing will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. All who knew and loved her are warmly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor her memory by showing kindness to others-just as she did every day of her life.
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