Truletta "Trudy" Fern Phillips

She was a strong, loving, and truly amazing woman. Anyone who spent even a little time with her came away knowing they had met someone special.

She departed this life on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Baptist East in Louisville, KY.

To most, she was just simply Trudy, a nickname that fit her warmth and easy way with people. She carried a quiet strength that showed up in everything she did, whether she was building her business, raising her children, or sitting down with a sudoku puzzle at the end of a long day. She spoke with a slight giggle in her voice and a smile on her face.

From cutting her own hair as a child to making makeup out of flour, Trudy dreamed of becoming a cosmetologist from a very young age. Determined to turn that dream into a reality, she began working at 17, cleaning quarters at Fort Knox to put herself through Sarah E. Thomas College of Beauty Culture. After graduating, she worked as a shampoo assistant at a salon in St. Mathews before stepping away for a time to work at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant.

When she felt called back to the beauty industry, Trudy moved to Elizabethtown and took a job at a local barbershop, using part of the space to launch her own venture. Years later, she purchased the property, tore down the original building, and constructed what would become Trudy’s Wig & Beauty Boutique. Even after building a successful business of her own, she remained dedicated to lifelong learning and mastering her craft. Over the course of her distinguished career, Trudy earned numerous awards, obtained her Master Cosmetologist license, and received both an associate degree in cosmetology from the Kentucky Institute of Cosmetology and an associate doctorate of the art of beauty culture from the National Institute of Cosmetology.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Clarence, Houston, and Hulon Barbour; sister Renetta Pittman; son Curtis “Ol Folks” Phillips; grandson Sammie Phillips; and great-grandsons Jayden Ewing and Cole Phillips.

Trudy leaves to cherish her memory, her son Ronald Phillips Sr.; sister Arvetta Barbour; grandchildren Monique, Dominique, LaTrese, and Montell Phillips, ShaKala (Greg) Grimes, Curtis Phillips Jr, Ronald Phillips Jr, Cassandra McMillen, Darian Jones; great-grandchildren Qhovia, Qyler, KeMoni, Kamiyah, Romeo, and Jamie Phillips, Raymond Allen III, Jaida Allen, Adriana Ledesma, Maurice DeBrossard Jr, Ke’Maree Williams, Cassidy, Antuan, Prince, Gia’Bella and Gregory Grimes Jr, Yonnie Marshman, London and Austin McMillen; great-great-grandson Legacy Troutman; cousins she raised Stephanie Todd and Theresa Bethea.

There are not enough words to describe this remarkable woman. Trudy was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all. While our hearts are heavy, we are endlessly grateful for the love, laughter, and light she brought into our lives. Rest in peace, dear Trudy – you will never be forgotten.

A Going Home Celebration will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 107 Bishop Ln, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.

Burial follows in Elizabethtown City Cemetery.

Visitation is from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 17th and continues on Wednesday, November 18th after 11:00 AM until the time of service all at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church in Elizabethtown in memory of Trudy Phillips.

Condolences may be expressed online at brownfuneral.com.