Lewis Kenny Phillips

Lewis K. "Kenny" Phillips, 83, of Lake City, TN was gently called home Friday, October 7, 2011 as his wife of 64 years, Christine Phillips, held his hand. He was surrounded by family and dear friends while they "sung him home". Kenny was a well-known, self-taught gospel singer and piano player who touched many lives with his God-given gift at churches and nursing homes in many surrounding counties as well as southeastern states. Kenny was born August 5, 1928 in Draper, Harlan Co., KY to parents James Oscar Phillips (1894-1979) and Loma Coker-Phillips (1905-1992). He spent his school years in LaFollette, TN but his family moved to Oak Ridge, TN in early 1940's. Too young to go to World War II, he was hired as a young boy to drive laundry trucks and local buses as Oak Ridge sprung up almost overnight. He built his career starting as a young boy literally helping build Oak Ridge from the ground up starting with construction of the streets, housing and the Atomic Energy plants, where he later became a master machinist for then Union Carbide during the Cold War years. He lived in Lake City, TN after marrying his "Christine" in 1947. He was a devoted Christian and faithful member of Main Street Baptist Church, Lake City, since 1948. Kenny was also a member of the Coal Creek Masonic Lodge #492, Lake City, as a Sublime Degree of Master Mason since 1961. Kenny enjoyed winters in Florida and road trips across the U. S. In addition to his church, he loved his family and long-time loyal friends who were considered family. In addition to his parents, Kenny is preceded in death by brothers Arthur Ozotzow "Zot" Phillips (1920-1990), Hugh L. Phillips (1925-1926); and sister Georgette Phillips (1922-1923). Survived by wife of 64 years, Margaret "Christine" Disney-Phillips of Lake City, daughters Becky Phillips-Parker (Ron) of Cornelius, NC; Rosetta Phillips-Peeples (Dave) of Jacksonville, FL; sisters Theda Phillips, Greene Valley Development Center, Greeneville, TN and Gladys Phillips-Reed, Knoxville, TN; Grandchildren Christy Cupp-Ward (Brian) of Nampa, ID and Alec Cupp (Heather) of Oak Ridge, TN; Great-Grandchildren Tyler, Grace, Jenny, Jonathan, Sarah & newborn Daniel Richard Ward (b: 10/6/2011) of Nampa, ID; and great-granddaughter Rylee Cupp of Oak Ridge, TN. Kenny is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will take place at Main Street Baptist Church, Lake City, on Monday, October 10, 2011 with visitation from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, followed by a celebration of Kenny's life at 8:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to join the family for internment at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens, Claxton, TN on Tuesday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations made to Main Street Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 405, Lake City, TN 37769. Hatmaker Funeral Home, 503 S. Main St., Lake City, TN 37769, Ph.# 865-426-2158 will service the Phillips family.