Thomas Lee "Possum" Phillips

Mr. Phillips, age 84, passed away on August 12, 2018 at his home. He was born on November 10, 1933, in Jackson, TN the son of the late T.O. and Grace Phillips. He was a member of North Jackson Church of Christ.
Possum played basketball with the Jackson High School Golden Bears, going all the way to the state finals under coach Tury Oman. Mr. Phillips worked for Conalco for several years, later working for the U. S. Postal Service. He retired with twenty-five years of service. He was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals and Tennessee Volunteers fan.
He was preceded by his parents and a step-son Kenny Neely.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Mary Ann Phillips; a son, Lee (Jean) Phillips of Jackson, TN; a daughter, Lori Gerken of Nassau, NY; and a step-daughter, Debbie Neely Smith of Jackson, TN. “Poppie” leaves six grandchildren, Josh (Julie) Phillips of Murfreesboro, TN, Lindsey (Rod) Sebastian of Nashville, TN, Daniel Gerken of Albany, NY, Cassidy Gerken of Oriskany, NY, Brooke (Jose) Martinez of Phoenix, AZ, Bridgette Bell of Nashville, TN and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, David, Logan and Karolina Rae. His is also survived by a brother, Jimmy (Valarie) Phillips and a sister, Linda (Ralph) Key of Jackson, TN.
SERVICES: A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 16, 2018 in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors, with David Powell, Josh Cook and Bruce Pigue, Ministers officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the service.
The family is requesting that memorial contributions be directed to North Jackson Church of Christ, 2780 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, TN 38305 or to Hospice of West Tennessee, 1804 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, Tennessee 38305.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, 668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com