Allen Phillips Obituary

Allen L. Phillips

December 2, 1928 -

February 17, 2026

Allen L. Phillips, 97, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his home after a short illness. Allen was born on December 2, 1928, in Kyle, WV to the late Terry and Elsie Phillips.

He graduated from Elkhorn High School as the valedictorian of the Class of 1947. Allen moved to the Kingsport area in 1954. He took night and correspondence courses for typing, bookkeeping, and accounting.

He was a jack of all trades working as a contractor building and remodeling houses, working part-time as a bookkeeper, and later employed by the Kingsport Power Company. He worked there for 33 years before retiring in 1990. Allen worked in the Stores Department making sure the line crew had what supplies they needed on their trucks to do the job.

Allen was an accomplished musician and was known for building instruments, including banjos and hammer dulcimers. He enjoyed working with computers. He built several Windows and Linux based systems from scratch for family and friends. The family will miss the calendars he created and sent out each year. His favorite pastime was playing in the floor with his grandchildren and especially his great grandchildren.

Allen was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Mae (Molly) Phillips in 1997; his daughter, Sharron Mahan in 2019; infant twins, Roger and Carol; three sisters, Doris Walker, Edith Reed, and Wanda Ross; one brother, Howard Phillips and two infant siblings.

Allen is survived by his soulmate of 14 years, Shirley Rhea; two sons, Luther (Susan) Phillips and David (Teneva) Phillips; four grandchildren, Adam Phillips, Amy (Jason) Richardson, Derek (Hannah) Phillips, and Cameron (Abbie) Phillips; six special great grandchildren, Maddock, Ian, and Ryleigh Richardson and Wyatt, Bennett, and Hallie Phillips; Allen is also survived by two sisters, Nancy (Joe) Maddox and Faye (Jim) Butcher; two brothers, Jim (Christine) Phillips and Tom Phillips; many nieces and nephews; special son-in-law Gary Mahan and sister-in-law, Dorothy Phillips.

A Graveside Service will be conducted at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Oak Hill Memorial Park with Pastor Greg Street officiating. Music will be provided by Abbie Phillips. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Those attending are asked to gather at the cemetery at 12:50 pm.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for the wonderful care they provided for Allen, especially his nurse Dashea Fields, RN.

The care of Allen L. Phillips and his family have been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.