Ruby Burchell Carter Phillips, age 80, of Athens died April 1, 2026, in Hixon, Tennessee. She was born November 14, 1945, to James and Mary Burchell in Limestone County, Alabama. She was a member of the Tanner church of Christ and retired from Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA. She was a faithful servant of God, a loving mother and grandmother and friend. The family would like to extend special thanks to her caregivers, Debbie Petty and Brenda Zeanah.
She is survived by her husband, Danny Phillips, daughters, Christi (Tim) Golden, and Angie (Ken) Chambers, son, Chad (Amy) Carter, stepdaughters, Kim (Kelly) Howard and Kristy Crowe, grandchildren, Brittany Howard, Brad Chambers, Jack Chambers, Sean Carter, Ryan Carter, Thomas Carter, and Mary Gregory, sisters, Wanda Carter, Barbara Hysaw, Kay Harbin, brothers, Larry Burchell, Bill Burchell, Royce Burchell, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Carter Phillips was preceded in death by her husband, Don Carter, granddaughters, Jaime Carter and Samantha Carter, and sister, Brenda Clinard.
The family will hold a visitation Saturday, April 11th at Spry Funeral Home of Athens from 12:00 noon until service time.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11th in the Spry Chapel officiated by Dan Chambers and Steve Carter with interment following at Limestone Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Jackson McKee, Brad Chambers, Jack Chambers, Sean Carter, Ryan Carter, and Thomas Carter.
Memorial donations may be made to the Tanner church of Christ.
