Robert Edward Phipps

Robert Edward Phipps, age 77, died Sunday, May 11, in Georgetown, TX after a lengthy illness. He was born August 8, 1930 in Mayland, TN to Claud and Thelma Phipps. Robert (Bob) grew up in Lynch, KY and left to join the Marines, serving in the Korean Conflict. After discharge from the Marines he later returned to the military by joining the Air Force where he served as a rifle instructor and was a competing member of the Air Force Rifle Team. He separated from the Air Force while stationed at Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, TX. While in Sherman, he married Johnny Sutherland. He began a career with IBM in Sherman and retired in Austin after 30 years with the company. After being widowed for 8 years, he married Martha Hopper of Georgetown, TX in 1989. Robert, the eldest of 9 children, was preceded in death by his parents of Crossville, TN: a sister Mary Quinn and brothers David and Douglas; wife Johnny Phipps, and step-son Tommy Sutherland. He is survived by his wife Martha Phipps, a son Robert E. Phipps of Salt Lake City, UT; brothers Joe Phipps and wife Loreen of Tazwell, TN and Willie(Bill) Phipps and wife Pauline of Crossville, TN; sisters Margaret Shepherd and husband Darrell of Richmond, KY, Kay Isom and husband Danny of Taylorville, KY and Sybil Cornett of Christal Lake, IL; step-children Phillip Sutherland of Denison, TX, Roxanna Walser of Sherman, TX and Valorie Russell of Frisco, TX and a large extended family. Visitation will be Wednesday evening May 14, from 5 to 8 pm at Gabriel Funeral Chapel in Georgetown, Texas. Funeral Services and internment will be at the Mayland Baptist Church Cemetery in Mayland, TN. Robert was a member of the National Rifle Association and a life member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Association. He enjoyed many years of competition with his shooting friends in Texas and other states. Robert was a Christian and life long Baptist. He loved his family and will be buried in the Phipps Family plot in the Mayland Cemetery just around the corner from the house where he was born in Tennessee. Arrangements by The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 N. IH 35, Georgetown, Texas 78628. 512-869-8888. Private condolences may be made online at:www.gabrielsfuneral.com.