Dale Paul Phillips

Dale Paul Phillips, 79, of Fall Branch, went to be with the Lord unexpected Monday, March 19, 2007, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after diagnosis of a sudden illness.

Born in Burlington, Iowa, and raised in the Alleghany Community of Fall Branch, he was the son of the late Paul E. and Chloe Brown Phillips. Dale attended Fall Branch School. He met and married the late Effie McConnell Phillips and retired from Kingsport Press/Arcata Graphics/Quebecor Printing after 46½ years of employment in the Bindery Department. Since retirement he had worked part time at East Tennessee Auto Auction.

Dale was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather also known as Granddaddy to his grandchildren. He was always happy, never met a stranger, and always left an impression. He thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and driving cars. Saved as a young boy, he first attended Bethesda Cumberland Church and First Baptist Church of Fall Branch since moving to Fall Branch. He served in various roles on the Board of Directors of Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department for many years, was a lifetime member of Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department, and was still active in Fall Branch Ruritan Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Effie McConnell Phillips on November 22, 2006; a son, Ronald Beagle Phillips; and parents-in-law, David E. and Belle Blair McConnell.

He is survived by three sons, Roger and wife, Connie, Richard and wife, Beverly, and Randall ?Smiley? Phillips all of Fall Branch; one daughter, Betty Jean ?BJ? and husband, Jimmy Dawson of Fall Branch; eight grandchildren, Chad Phillips of Fall Branch, Rebecca and husband, Darrick Blankenship of Maryville, Heather Phillips of Fall Branch, Tara Phillips of Boones Creek, Jared Dawson, Cory Phillips, Sunday Phillips of Fall Branch, and Hannah Phillips of Gray; a sister, Frances Jones of Fall Branch; sisters-in-law, Kathleen and husband, Gerald Leak of Lakewood, Colorado, Mary Ann McConnell of Omaha, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Jackie P. Mullins of Fall Branch; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a whole host of friends and neighbors.

The family will receive friends any time at the home. Calling hours will be Thursday, March 22nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Fall Branch. The funeral will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Carl Strickler and Rev. Victor Wallace officiating.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 23rd, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport.

Pallbearers will be Chad Phillips, Jared Dawson, Cory Phillips, Darrick Blankenship, Ray Hayes, Dennis Hayes, Bud Cox, and David Carr. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department and members of Fall Branch Ruritan.

The family would like to say a very special thank you to Dr. Pierce, Kelly Maiden and the staff at Cancer Outreach Center in Kingsport, Dr. Provance, Dr. Grover, Dr. Smith, Dr. Ananthula, Dr. Neglia, the entire 3rd Floor nursing staff of W3/Wilcox, and the entire staff of MICU at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. May God bless you each one in a real special way for all you have done.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department Building Fund, P. O. Box 84, Fall Branch, TN 37656. Dale couldn?t wait for completion of the new fire station currently under construction ? as he visited there almost daily.