Lorene Osborne Phillips

Lorene Osborne Phillips of Springmoor Retirement Community died peacefully at her home in Raleigh on March 30, 2016. She was born December 29, 1927 at Grassy Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina, the youngest child of Edgar M. and Verda Young Osborne.

She graduated from High Point Central High School in 1944 and attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.

Lorene is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Mark (Billy) Phillips, brothers, Swint and Doughton Osborne, and sisters, Jeane Hendrickson, Virginia Vannoy.

She is survived by daughter Deborah Riley and husband, Dain of Raleigh; son Michael Phillips and wife Jennifer of West Chester, PA; daughter Meneta Deaton and husband Mark of Staunton, VA., sister, Claryce Norman of Greensboro, NC. Grandchildren Chad Riley, Christy Winoski and husband, Trey, Charles Deaton, and Alex Deaton. Also nieces Carole Willmot and husband, Micheal, Katrina Miller and husband, Calvin. And several great nieces and great nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.

Lorene worked with Employment Security Commission when she met & married husband, Billy in 1946. She also worked with several attorneys in Greenville, NC, prior to joining USDA, Farmers Home Administration in the early 70’s. While with FmHA she worked in the Greenville County Office and the Raleigh State Office. During her tenure with FmHA, she traveled North Carolina extensively. She knew by name each employee in all 100 county offices and she formed friendships that are still active. She retired in 1994.

She was a former member of The Woman’s Club of Raleigh and former Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, Grifton, NC. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Grifton, NC and St. Paul’s Christian Church, Raleigh, NC.

Lorene was known in her family life and professional life as a “fixer of problems.” She was very community oriented and after she retired she actively volunteered with Raleigh Community Hospital, Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, NC Red Cross, Special Olympics, and others.

Lorene will be missed by family and friends; but today heaven is a brighter place because of her presence.

There will be a memorial service conducted by Springmoor Chaplin, Rev. Phyllis Mayo and St Paul’s Christian Church Minister, Rev. Phil Jones in the Springmoor Auditorium Thursday April 7 at 2:00 PM. The family will greet guests there following the service and requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607; Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh NC 27615; or St. Paul’s Christian Church, 3331 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC 27612.

Please visit www.brownwynne.com to offer condolences to the Phillips family.