FRANKLIN – Loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, son, friend, and most importantly, child of God, Earl Lynn Phillips departed this world on July 11, 2021 to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and the presence of the Lord.
To all who knew him, Lynn was a joyful person who caught people off guard with his dry wit and sense of humor. He was a man who loved everyone, who had a gift for recognizing and promoting the potential he saw in others, even when they could not see it themselves. Generous and kind, patient and forgiving, Lynn did not expect of others what he did not expect from himself.
Lynn was a Christ follower and a member of First Alliance Church in Franklin. He was happiest with hands-on ministry in the church and community, working closely with people to serve their needs as directly as he could. His mountain home was often a retreat for missionaries visiting Franklin from around the world, and it was his pleasure to provide them a place to rest and recharge.
A husband of 57 years to his wife Pat and father to his three sons, Lynn took seriously his role as provider and protector, often working quietly behind the scenes to fulfill the desires of his family. As a grandfather, Lynn (Pop) cherished each moment shared with his grandchildren – building things in the workshop, riding in his truck, exploring the mountain property, and especially just being together.
Lynn loved woodworking, refinishing furniture, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. Lynn passed his love of music to his children and grandchildren. He loved to plan elaborate trips and to travel. In his later years, Lynn researched family history.
Lynn was born May 19, 1941, in Mena, Arkansas, to Earl Tildon and Marjorie Galloway Phillips. He graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School in 1959 and served in the Arkansas Air National Guard from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1966.
Starting out with J.C. Penney in the shoe department at age 17, Lynn’s career included nine moves across six different states until his retirement as store manager in 1998 when he chose to settle in Franklin, his final home of 23 years.
Left with many wonderful memories are his wife, Patricia Cotten Phillips; his sons and their wives, Michael and Suzanne Phillips of Greenville, South Carolina, Mitchell and Lori Phillips of Marietta, Georgia, and Matthew and Libby Phillips of Syracuse, New York; his grandchildren, Doug (Meg), Blake (Caitlyn), Nicholas, Ashley, Josh, Jackson, Samuel, Madie, Landon, Abby, and Austin; his great-granddaughter, Hailey Adelynn; and his siblings, Joyce Gray of Springfield, Missouri, and Patsy (Gary) Tuer of Mountain Home, Texas. Lynn was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Brenda Fitting; his in-laws, Bill and Joy Cotten; and his sister-in-law, Deborah Harrison.
Lynn’s body was buried at a private family service on July 14 at Ramsey Creek Preserve in Westminster, South Carolina.
A public memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 22 at the First Alliance Church in Franklin.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions can be made to the First Alliance Church Great Commission Fund or Samaritan’s Purse.
Moffitt Family Funeral Care is honored to serve Lynn’s family. Condolences may be made at moffittfamilyfuneralcare.com