Dolores Cornett Phillips
Dolores Cornett Phillips was born on January 12, 1929 in Roda, Virginia. She was a loving sister to four brothers—Harold, Don, Carl, and Robert—all deceased. She was the apple of her Daddy’s eye, and grew up in a loving, hard-working family.
After graduating from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1947, she was determined to go to college, believing that God had called her to a purpose in life that would require further education. She worked and saved for a year and left home to pursue that calling at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tn.
While there, she met Nat Phillips, the man she would love unwaveringly for 75 years and until she took her last breath. Together they went to Louisville, Kentucky and Fort Worth, Texas while Nat attended Southern and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminaries, then pastored several Southern Baptist churches during the 1950s and 60s. They had two children, Stephen, in 1953, and Michele, in 1956.
Along the way, they both continued their education and in 1968 moved to Chattanooga to begin teaching at Tennessee Temple College, Dolores in the Psychology department and Nat in the History, Philosophy, and Bible departments. They taught at Tennessee Temple for 30 years, while also ministering in various area churches.
Dolores was a devoted wife, mother, Nana, teacher, pastor’s wife, and friend whose kindness and encouraging, supportive nature was rooted firmly in her Christian faith. Her trust in Christ and love for Jesus grew throughout her life and was the distinguishing characteristic recognized by all who knew her. She was also intelligent, curious, witty, and interested in others. Dolores noticed the best in those around her and always managed to see a way to affirm and highlight the positive in a situation or a person, even in the midst of their worst moments. She was always ready to listen and all those who encountered her left feeling loved and enriched. She saw the best and believed the best in us. She made us want to do better, to be better. Words cannot adequately express the impact she has had on the lives of her family and so many others. Her fingerprints are on us. We can only hope to live up to what she saw in us.
Dolores is survived by her husband, Nat Phillips; her children, Stephen Phillips and Michele Cole; their spouses, Sharon Phillips and Tim Cole; six grandchildren, Greg, Scott, and Lori Phillips (Neal), and Jared, Zachary, and Seth Cole; and 10 great-grandchildren. Her loving family, her legacy.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Pastor Todd McElyea officiating. Interment will follow the service at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 12 p.m. until time of service at the church.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.