Clifford C. Phillips

Clifford C. Phillips passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at The Wexford House in Kingsport, after a long illness.  He was born in Cookeville, TN, on October 3, 1932, and graduated from Central High School in Cookeville. Clifford was also a graduate of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Technological University) in Cookeville, where he received a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology.  Clifford was a U.S. Army Veteran and retired from Eastman Chemical Company in 1995, having worked in the plant protection department.  He was a member of Kingsport Community Church.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Kingsport Assisted Living, The Wexford House, and Amedisys Hospice for their services, with special thanks to The Reverend Mark Stayton of Kingsport Community Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ras and Roxie McGee Phillips; brother, Oren Phillips, sister, Pearl Barnes Johnson; former wife, Jo Ann Roberts Phillips; and son, Michael Phillips.

Clifford is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Virginia; and former daughter-in-law, Juanita and husband, Gary Long of Knoxville, TN.

A graveside service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Smiths Chapel Cemetery in Cookeville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kingsport Community Church, 2316 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664, or to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Whitson Funeral Home, 30 North Dixie Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501 is in charge of final arrangements.