Rae Phillips

When Rae’s name is mentioned, one always hears comments such as nice, sweet, positive, beautiful smile, selfless, good heart, and lovely soul to describe her.

Rae was born in Baton Rouge, LA on November 19, 1946, the daughter of Joseph C. Phillips and Irma Farr Phillips. She was not one to talk about her many accomplishments. After graduating from Lee High she attended LSU, where she was a member of the Golden Girls. Her love of dancing was instilled by her father Joe Phillips who taught Baton Rouge kids ballroom dancing at the BREC centers for many years. She loved being a Hair Stylist, and her clients soon became lifelong friends. Rae started her career at Pace’s, then owned her own salon, Shear Raediance. She finished her 54-year career at her dear friend, Rigsby Frederick at his salon. She had a special place in her heart for children, and raised money for several children’s charities. While a member of Audubon Kiwanis, where she served as president for many years, she headed up the State Chili Cook Off event with a local Knights of Columbus group, raising over $50,000 to help build Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. She also worked with her brother Darrell Phillips who organized several State Special Olympics games and the only International Special Olympics held in Baton Rouge. A very talented artist, she left us many of her beautiful paintings. Rae was beautiful inside and out. She was crowned Ms. Baton Rouge and later Mrs. Baton Rouge. She was proudest for being voted Ms. Congeniality by the other contestants. She had a gift of caring for others, especially the elderly. In 2019 she was diagnosed with dementia and moved to Southside Gardens, where she became “Assistant Activities Director” and began uplifting residents and staff. She entertained everyone with her dancing and her sparkling, loving personality. Rae was happiest when she was taking care of her family and friends. She was our “Rae of Sunshine” and a Godly and loving woman who was everybody’s Aunt Rae. She was also known as Rae Rae and Sparkles to her friends.

Rae is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and brother Darrell Phillips.

Those left to cherish her memory include brother Al J. Phillips (Dianna Lehr); sister-in-law Beth Cotton Phillips; one daughter, Kim Schulman Tiernan (John); two grandsons John Patrick Tiernan and James Edward Tiernan; one granddaughter Ann Morgan Tiernan Cox (John); nieces Laura Faye Phillips, Amanda Kaye Phillips Callihan (Kyle), Katherine Rae Phillips Ammons (Davy); nephews Jason Randal Phillips (Lisa Trauch), Christopher Joseph Phillips (Kristie Pressler); great nieces and nephews Brent Michael Callihan, Alexis Rae Callihan, Kaylan Renee’ Callihan, Kavan Joseph Phillips, Riley Kate Ammons, Cambrie Lena Phillips, Zoe Elizabeth Kay Phillips, Braeden Sean Ammons, Darby Rinn Ammons.

Visitation at will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home at 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 3pm to 6pm and again on Monday, February 28, 2022 at First United Methodist Church at 930 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, at 10am until services at 11am. Lunch will be served at noon at the church, followed by a motorcade to Prairieville Community Cemetery at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in Rae’s name to Our Lady of the Lake Foundation (for the Children’s Hospital) at 225-765-5951. https://ololchildrens.org/give

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com.