Phyllis Clark Sipes

Phyllis was born in Evansville Indiana on November 25, 1934, to Richard M. Clark and Lora Leona Junod. She grew up in Martin, TN where she was known for her bright red hair and left handedness, which no ancestor seemed to share. A self-proclaimed "Daddy's girl", she could be found riding her horse (Smokey) around their farm and taking care of animals of every kind.

While attending the Martin High School, where she played French horn and twirled baton, she was named, "Field Commander" for three consecutive years.

From 1952 to 1955 Phyllis attended Lambuth College in Jackson TN where she met and eventually married Robert Ray "Buster" Sipes on August 30, 1953. During her years at Lambuth College, Phyllis received a Teachers Certificate in Elementary Education while also working as a Ward Clerk at Jackson Madison County General Hospital.

From 1955 to 1969 Phyllis supported her husband, as he climbed the ranks of a Military Career in the United States Air force. As she raised their growing family, she had part time jobs as a Hospital Ward Clerk and also Substitute Teaching in San Antonio TX, Fairfield CA, Selma AL, and Rome NY.

Buster was an Aerial Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot, with the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was responsible for aerial reconnaissance missions over Vietnam. This Wing operated out of Tan Son Hut Air Base conducting both visual and electronic intelligence gathering throughout the theater of operations during the Vietnam War.

When her husband returned from serving in Vietnam, they moved their family and were stationed at the Royal Air Force Upper Heyford Base, Oxfordshire, England. While stationed there, Buster was tragically killed when his F101 Voodoo Aircraft lost power on takeoff. While the F101 Jet was losing power and altitude Major "Buster" Sipes, stayed with his craft.

While in decent, he directed the Jet away from the village below and rather than ejecting, he kept the Plane from crashing into a school. He spared the lives of many children, but sacrificed his own life.

While still in her 30's, Phyllis became the Widow of a Military Hero and the single mother of four young children. The family still receives letters to this day from some of the School Children, now adults, that were attending school that day.

Upon returning to Jackson TN in 1969, Phyllis successfully completed the Nursing Program at Union University. Her first nursing job was at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital as RN Charge Nurse in the surgery wing.

From 1972 to 1975 she worked as a Public Health Nurse at the Madison County Health Department. In 1976 she began employment as a Nursing Consultant for The State of Tennessee, Department of Health and Environment, covering West TN prior to being promoted to an executive position in Nashville, with the Department of Health.

During her nursing career, Phyllis held herself to very high standards. She was able to blend Professionalism and Compassion into the perfect recipe for improving the lives around her.

Upon her retirement at age 65, Phyllis returned to her Country Girl roots on a farm in Pinson, TN. She had come full circle back to where she started, spending time in her garden and caring for a menagerie of animals.

She was an extraordinarily talented Seamstress and spent much of her time sewing for her Grandchildren. She also had a talent for painting and produced many wonderful works of art for her Children to eternally cherish.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Betty Jean "BJ" Roeder.

She is survived by two sons, James T. and Melody Sipes of Franklin, Tennessee, Jeffery W. Sipes, of Pinson, Tennessee and one daughter: Janna Sipes McKnight of Jackson, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by one daughter: Julia Sipes Bogue. She has eight living Grandchildren; Robert Sipes, Trenton Sipes, Sarah Bull, Johnathan Sipes, Mary Beth Taylor, Joshua Lawrence, Madison McKnight, and Maddox McKnight and one deceased Grandson; Brandon Tribbett. She has ten Great Grandchildren and two Great Great Grandchildren.

Job well done Phyllis Clark Sipes. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Matthew 25:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. '