Kathleen Gladden Phillips

Kathleen Rebecca Caroline Gladden Phillips, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on August 21, 2014, only a few days after her 97th birthday. She was born on August 16, 1917, in Mecklenburg County as the youngest of twelve children born to Lorenzo Holland Gladden and Hannah Alice Godrey. A lifelong member of Wilson Grove Baptist Church, her strong faith was apparent in her daily conversations, her devotion to Christian study and service, and her loving relationships with family and friends.

Kathleen married Raymond O. Phillips on October 27, 1944, and they made their home on Albemarle Road when Raymond came back from service in World War II. She often recalled raising her children as the happiest time of her life and in later years, she always treasured having the family reunite for meals and special occasions.

Kathleen began working at an early age and always considered productive use of her time important. She would rarely sit to relax without also busying herself shelling pecans, quilting, or crocheting. She described her profession as a hairdresser as feeling like spending time with friends instead of working at a job.

Preceded in death by her husband and all of her six brothers and five sisters, Kathleen is survived by her three children, Rev. N. Ray Phillips and wife Ginny of Clinton, NC, Stephen O. Phillips and wife Carolyn, and Sandra P. Duncan and husband Malcolm; her six grandchildren, Christopher Duncan, Matthew Phillips and wife Heather of Winston-Salem, NC, Jeremy Duncan and wife Kate, Brent Phillips and wife Brandy of Glendale, CA, Whitney Goulding and husband Aaron of Cary, NC, and Ashley Phillips of Cary, NC; and four great-grandchildren, Grady and Elizabeth Phillips, Keaton Goulding, and Abraham Phillips.

Visitation with the family will be at McEwen Funeral Home in Mint Hill on Friday from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at Wilson Grove Baptist Church, on Saturday at 2 pm. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilson Grove Baptist Church, 6624 Wilgrove -Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227.

Arrangements are by McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel. 704.545.4864 www.mcewenminthillchapel.com