Kathryn Casey Phillips

Kathryn Casey Phillips, 27, spread her wings and departed earth November 14, 2016. Lovingly known as Katie, she was born on November 17, 1988, the daughter of Sandra White and Eric Clayton Phillips.

As a senior in the Psychology Department at UNC-Wilmington, Katie was studying for the GRE and applying to graduate programs. This semester she was excited to be doing work at The Carousel Center, which provides critical care services to children who are victims of abuse. A bright and funny young woman, Katie was pursuing a career in counseling and planned to apply for a Master's program in Psychology or Social Work. Her love for lost souls extended beyond the realm of humankind and into the animal kingdom. Katie rarely met a stray dog that she didn't bring home with her or give to a friend or family member. Her sarcastic wit led Katie to declare herself a misanthrope, but her kind and giving nature shone through. A practical joker, she took pride in coming up with mischievous pranks to pull on her friends; but she was also the first to offer a shoulder to cry on and would generously offer whatever help was needed. A lover of music, Katie could often be found giving impromptu concerts on Snapchat, in her Jeep, or whenever a moment of song struck her. From Lana Del Rey to Ke$ha to DMX to the occasional show tune, Katie loved them all. She loved snowboarding trips, shopping sprees, manicures and pedicures, game nights, hanging out at the coffee shop, girls' weekends, Tuesday night family dinners, her truck and her collection of guns and other random weaponry. What Katie loved most however, were her family and friends. She had an undeniable eye for fashion which was her own eclectic mix of styles though she was most often found wearing leggings, a hoodie, and a messy bun in her hair. Katie’s mom was her unwavering rock in her life. She loved spending the day going shopping or just lying on the couch with her mom and their dogs. Katie loved her dad and going to visit him and his wife, Cheri at the beach house; she cherished long conversations over dinners with him and she only ever wanted to make him proud. She was excited that her sister, Jessica, was teaching her how to cook pasta dishes and how to bake the perfect apple pie and enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her when she came home to visit. She was exceedingly proud of her younger sisters, Erica and Hallie, and the way they excel at volleyball and watching them become strong, beautiful young women. Katie and her brother-in-law, Justin, had an explosive but loving relationship with one another but she always loved discussing all aspects of his military career with him. She always looked forward to seeing her brothers, Brian and Justin, and strived to make them feel as uncomfortable as possible with long, awkward hugs, though she secretly knew they would let her hold on as long as she wanted. Katie loved her grandparents so much and cherished the memories of her Grandfather Hal and treasured every moment she spent with her Grandma Jessie Lou. Katie was a bright and shining light to so many in this world. She touched the lives of everyone whose path she crossed, we will all carry her in our hearts and dedicated our lives to remembering the light and love that she brought to us all. She will be desperately missed by all her family she loved so deeply and the friends who became the second family that she created for herself.

Katie is survived by her mother, Sandra White Huskamp of Wilmington, NC, her father and stepmother, Eric Phillips and Cheri Phillips of Raleigh, NC, her sister and brother-in-law, Jessica Smith and Justin Smith of Aurora, Colorado, brothers and sister-in-law, Justin Huskamp of London, England, Brian and Linda Huskamp of San Francisco, California, twin sisters Erica and Hallie Phillips of Raleigh, NC, her maternal grandmother, Jessie Lou White of Saratoga, NC, her paternal grandmother, Elaine Ellington of Siler City, NC and boyfriend, Ben Wood of Wilmington, NC.

Katie was pre-deceased by her maternal grandfather, Jim White of Saratoga, NC and her paternal grandparents Hal B. Phillips and Betty Phillips and Irv Ellington of Siler City, NC.

A celebration of her life will be held at Andrews Valley Chapel, 4108 College Road, Wilmington, NC on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 2 pm with visitation at 1 pm. The Reverend Mindy Tucker is the officiating minister.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Katie and her passion for saving all needy four-legged friends, donations can be made to Paws Place – a dog rescue -   www.pawsplace.org