Lanelle S. Phillips

She was born Nov. 11, 1936, daughter of the late William Marshall Simpson and Ila Vinla Pusser.

She was a graduate of New Salem School, 1955 (Class Salutatorian), Wingate Junior College graduate (now Wingate University) in 1956. She worked with the State of North Carolina in Raleigh, NC; Microtron Corporation, Charlotte, NC; Mill-Power Supply, Charlotte, NC; and Bank of America, Charlotte, NC. She sang with the Charlotte Chorale Society for several years. Her love was playing the piano. She was a self-taught pianist, learning from a Sears & Roebuck “How to Learn to Play Piano” book. She started playing the piano in church at the age of 13. Those churches were included in Wake, Union and Anson Counties, including Forestville Church in Wake Forest, New Hope Baptist in New Salem, New Home Baptist Church in Peachland, Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Polkton, Euto Baptist Church in New Salem, and Union Grove United Methodist Church in Union County. She taught piano and organ lessons for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Raymond Joseph Phillips; She is also preceded in death by her four brothers and two sisters: William Carroll Simpson, Joseph Huey Simpson, Lewis Wilbert Simpson, John Vann Simpson, Bedia Adela Simpson Moore Nevison, and Mary Lea Thomas. She also leaves four children: Angela Phillips Daniel, Deborah Phillips Austin (Jeffrey), Esther Phillips Bailey (James), and Michelle Phillips Smith (Gary). She also leaves to cherish her memories three grandsons: Shannon Nathaniel Austin of Denver, CO, David Fulton Austin of Albemarle, NC, and Jared Dominic Smith of Monroe, NC.

Thank you to friends and family for the calls, texts, kindness, and encouraging words. A special thank you to New Testament Baptist Church Adult Day Care, Jesse Helms Center, Kathy Deese, Rev. Lee Davis, Freda White, Sandy Wyles, and East Campus Sunday School Class for their love, care, and compassion.

In honor or memory of Mrs. Lanelle Phillips, donations may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Euto Baptist Church, located at 6019 NC-205, Marshville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Family Life Center.

Fonds memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com for the Phillips family.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of Lanelle Simpson Phillips.