Julia Fay Phillips

Mrs. Julia Fay Wilson Phillips, age 82 of Clinton, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, August 29, 2019 at her home. She was of the Baptist Faith and a member of Laurel Branch Baptist Church in Briceville. She was born May 8, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Mike and Verdie Duncan Wilson and was one of 13 children. She was raised at Clinchmore and later moved on Vowell Mountain.

In 1956, on Vowell Mountain she met her lifelong sweetheart, B. Ray Phillips. After their short courtship, they were married on June 15, 1956 in Lake City. She then became the mother of six children, five daughters and one son and a grandmother of sixteen, a great grandmother of thirty-five, and a great great grandmother of twelve. Julia and B. Ray were married for sixty-three years. Throughout their years of marriage, they lived a short period of time in Cleveland, Ohio and then returned to Lake City, Tennessee. They lived forty-three years in the Oak Grove Community just outside the Lake City limits near Norris Lake. They recently moved to Clinton and have resided there for the past seven years.

In 1951, Julia was saved at home at the young age of 14. She then had a passion, a desire, and a calling to sing gospel music. She began singing in church and continued after her marriage to sing with her husband, other family members, and then later in years, her children. She and her family sang at many revivals, radio broadcasts, and area churches. Julia’s high tenor voice was a true blessing to everyone she met and everyone who heard her sing. One of her most requested songs was Thank You Dear Lord.  One of Julia’s other passions was gardening and irises were her favorite flower. She had a green thumb and could get anything to grow. She could always be found in one of her many flower and vegetable gardens. Anyone that knew her, Knew Julia to be as beautiful in side and out as the most beautiful flower she grew. Heaven gained a beautiful angel when she was called home. She will truly be missed by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother: Mike and Verdie Wilson, brothers: Clarence, Paul, Dean, and Donnie Wilson, two grandsons: Derek McCoy and Daniel Phillips and one great granddaughter, Natalie Rogers.

She is survived by: husband, Rev. B. Ray Phillips; six children: Sue McCoy and Johnny of Rocky Top, Arlene Byrge and Darlene Martin, Teresa Johnson and Jeff, all of Clinton, Nerissa Langford of Andersonville, and son Danny Phillips and Susan of Clinton; 14 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren; sisters: Nella Redden and Dean, Rose Phillips and Laymon of Rocky Top; brothers: Gene Wilson and Sharon, Marshall Wilson and Kay, Bob Wilson and Amanda of Rocky Top, Tom Wilson and Leslie of Clinton, Roger Wilson and Fred Wilson of Rocky Top; Sisters in Law Joyce Wilson of Ohio, Betty Wilson of Rocky Top; and special friend Shauna McCoy of Andersonville.

Visitation: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Hatmaker Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 8:00 PM, Saturday, August 31, 2019 in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joey Cagley and Rev. Archie Seiber officiating.

Family and Friends will meet at 10:15 AM, Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Hatmaker Funeral Home to go in procession to the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rocky Top for an 11:00 AM graveside service.