Cordia Boggs Phillips

Most people knew Mom as Cordie, and in these last years, she was lovingly known in her retirement community as the “Muffin Lady.” Cordia Boggs Phillips passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning, October 10, after several months of health-related issues with her heart. She was 97 and a half.

Born in Chattanooga, TN, to Leland Alexander Boggs and Gertrude (Gertie) Gribble Boggs, she was the youngest of nine children (who have all passed). She graduated from Central High School, where she met her husband of 68 years, Paul Grey Phillips. They established a home and raised three daughters, Paula Phillips of Canton, GA, Sandra Phillips of Atlanta, GA, and Karen Phillips Chin (Sean Chin) of Marietta, GA.

While Dad worked for Weigel Engineering for 40+ years, Mom became the quintessential homemaker. There wasn’t a challenge that she couldn’t meet in homemaking. An expert seamstress, amazing cook, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, fundraiser, and creative soul. She was a member of the Boyd-Buchanan Associated Women and was responsible for creating, publishing, and selling two editions of the popular Chattanooga Chew Chew cookbook. She was also instrumental in rallying people to donate all of their S&H Green Stamps to purchase a much-needed van for the school. She worked as a telephone switchboard operator, a cafeteria worker, a Southern Living cook/demonstrator for their live shows in Chattanooga, opened a catering company with two of her best friends (Bon Appetit Catering), which led to a tearoom and then to the Brabson House restaurant in Chattanooga. She loved entertaining and knew how to make people feel welcomed and at ease.

She and Dad enjoyed traveling, exploring our country with friends on bus tours with Knoxville Tours, and just taking it easy on backroads. They traveled to the Holy Lands, rode a camel in Egypt, cruised the Caribbean, looked up ancestors in the British Isles, went to Italy and Greece and ate delicious food, and even lived in Russia for three months doing mission work.

Her first love was God. A life-long member of the Church of Christ, her spiritual roots were deep and strong. She and Dad went on numerous mission trips, actively supporting that ministry and many others. In her later years, she attended East Ridge Church of Christ, and even after moving to Atlanta to be closer to her daughters, she live-streamed services in the privacy of her independent living facility.

For better or worse, she is the voice inside our heads that drives us to do better, love deeply, and live our lives fully devoted to God. Mom is also survived by three grandchildren, Megan Hawley, Iris Littrell & Sam Littrell (Andrea Melanson Littrell), and two great-grandchildren, Porter Hawley and Mable Littrell. All of us will mourn our loss and remember her every day but rejoice in her freedom from the limitations of her earthly body. We will meet again in Sweet By and By.

The family will receive friends at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home from 11:30-1:30 on Saturday, October 18, and a graveside service will be held immediately following at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson, TN. Clancy Etienne, a life-long friend and minister from St. Croix Church of Christ, will speak.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Martin-Boyd Christian Assisted Living Home or your favorite charity in her name.

Please share your thoughts and memories of “Cordie” at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd, East Ridge, TN 37412.