Alice Smith Phillips

Lura Alice Smith Phillips grew up on a family farm in Trezevant, TN with three sisters and a dog named Rex.  She married Paul Phillips of McKenzie.  Alice raised two boys, Mike and Barry while working full time to put herself through night school at Bethel College, where she graduated at the top of her class. She was a mother and aspired to be a physician but turned her focus to educate our youth.  When she retired from teaching at Lakeview Elementary, she became Mammaw.  Mammaw and Pawpaw moved to Maryville to help raise their grandson Tait and attend a lot of baseball games.  Mammaw always loved all of her grandkids and attended numerous sporting events.  To her last days, Mammaw always would light up to see any of her six grandkids or thirteen great-grandkids. At Clover Hill where she resided and occasionally sang with her great-grandkids (Owen and Levi), she was simply known as “the sweetest lady.” According to his perfect predetermined plan [Psalms 90:12], our Lord Jesus took Mammaw to be with her beautiful heavenly family on March 17, 2024. Our sweet Mammaw will be truly missed, but we are comforted that she has entered the glory of God.  We love you mom. Preceded in death by:  husband, Paul W. Phillips; son, Michael K. Phillips; daughter-in-law, Robbie Ellen Phillips; parents, Bennett & Elsie Smith; sisters, Bettie Pillow and Claira Joe Hodgson.  Survivors include:  son and daughter-in-law, Barry B. Phillips and Amy Birdwell Phillips; grandchildren, Kali (Kevin) Hanson, Caroline (Paul) Fortenberry, Tait (Kadana) Phillips, Candace (Graham) Askew, Brent (Liz) Phillips, Lauren (Steve) Black; great-grandchildren, Markel, Kiana, Owen, & Levi Fortenberry, Kinley & Korbin Hanson, Kate, Luke & Alex Askew, Alice & Grace Phillips, Bennett & Brooks Black; sister, Judy Burrow.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:  Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd, Maryville, TN 37803.  Family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:30 PM, Friday, March 22, 2024 at Smith East Hall.  Funeral service will be at 1:30 PM with Gilbert Harris officiating.  Interment will follow at Carpenters Campground United Methodist Church Cemetery.  Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.