Ruth Ann Jeffers Phillips

Phillips, Ruth Ann Jeffers - age 83 of Oneida passed away on Tuesday, May 09, 2023. She was born on February 23, 1940, to the late Guy C. and Anna Pearl Jeffers. She was nurtured in a home where church and The Bible were the center of the family, and she continued that tradition in her home and with her family as well. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oneida, and she attended Bethlehem Baptist Church as often as possible.

She was a proud graduate of Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy and continued her higher education at both Cumberland College University and Tennessee Tech University, where she graduated with esteem honors. She valued education and kept in touch with all her college friends by participating in reunions, get-togethers, and scheduled events. She truly loved her fellow classmates and kept in close contact with them throughout her life.

She was an educator/teacher for Scott County Schools, the Oneida Special School District, and McCreary County Kentucky Schools for many years. She truly loved her “kids” and did everything she could to provide them with opportunities to assist them in their lives. Day in and day out she built strong relationships with each, and every student and she provided them with the tools that they needed to be successful, as well as the skills to make the world around them a better place. She modeled excellence by displaying love, patience, and kindness to every student in her class. She was a lifelong learner and would research new and innovative ideas and she loved to explore the things around her. All these attributes were displayed in the educational accomplishments that she completed throughout her life. She believed the words of Lady Bird Johnson when she said, “Children are apt to live up to what you believe in them”. She loved her students both inside and outside of the classroom and was always glad to see them whether it was in her classroom or in her town at one of the local stores. She left her mark on the lives of many students through her methodologies of teaching but most of all through her gifts of wisdom.

Ruth Ann was not only an educator, but she also worked for Oneida Bank and Trust Company with her family.

She was also a talented Music teacher that valued music programs as well as choral education. She adored hymns, choirs, pianos, and organs. She spent her Sundays listening to as many services as she could, from morning until night. The gospel and the word of God were always at the center of her life, and she always encouraged and valued daily prayer.

Her mind was always sharp, and she could recall even the tiniest details. Her knowledge of Scott County’s history was immense, and she was a very proud member of her community. She loved her home, and she loved the simple things in life, always finding great joy in the world around her; the sun, the rain, the beauty in the flowers, as well as the wildlife that surrounded her, especially birds. Every Cardinal she would say came to bring a special hello and was to be cherished at every sighting.

The most important thing to her was her family. Preceding her in death were her beloved son Randall “Randy” Jeffers who was the light in her life, Her best friend and husband James K. Phillips, Brother Attorney Harold G. Jeffers, sister-in-law Leah Jeffers, and her cherished Sister Bobbie Jean Jeffers West. Ruth Ann is survived by brothers Ralph Jeffers (Shirley) and Don Jeffers, sister-in-law Shirley Jeffers all of Oneida and brother-in-law Richard S. West, Sr. of Chattanooga. She also leaves her beloved nephews and niece, and a host of Grand and Great Grand nephews and nieces along with many other relatives and friends.

A Memorial service will be conducted on Saturday morning June 17, 2023, with receiving of family and friends from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with Service immediately following at The First Baptist Church of Oneida.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com for the Phillips family.