Diana J. Phillips

Phillips, Diana J.

      Diana J. Phillips, 76, of Hermitage, TN, passed away on July 12, 2024. Diana was born on May 8, 1948, to Frank and Pauline Asbury in Hernshaw, West Virginia. At the age of 15, Diana moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in pursuit of a better life. There, she completed her education and pursued secondary schooling to become a key punch operator. After finishing school, she began her career with Baltimore Mass Transit.

      Diana met and married the love of her life, Vernon (Buck) Phillips, on March 23, 1968. Together, they had three children: Michele, Joe, and Ann. In the late 1980s, Diana joined Waverly Incorporated as an HR benefits coordinator, a role that perfectly suited her warm and humble personality. She was known for her strong work ethic and was highly respected by her colleagues. During her tenure at Waverly, Diana proudly managed the United Way campaign and blood drives, consistently exceeding goals and milestones each year.

      In 1999, Diana was forced to retire early due to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, which caused frequent pain flare-ups and difficulty focusing. Despite this, Diana remained a devoted mother and grandmother. In retirement, she took on the responsibility of caring for her grandchildren, William and Sierra, and later her great-grandchild, Jackson David. For Diana, family always came first, and she believed daycare was not an option.

      Diana loved to entertain and bring her family together. Her home was the gathering place for family parties and holidays, where she always made everyone feel welcome and loved. She enjoyed camping with family and friends, country music, dancing, casino games, quilting, and other fun activities.

      Diana was predeceased by her father, Frank Asbury; mother, Pauline Phenicie; sister, Kay Kaczorowski; brother-in-law, James Kaczorowski; and brother, David Asbury. She is survived by her husband, Vernon Phillips; daughters, Michele Mason and Ann Koonce (Gil Koonce); son, Vernon Phillips Jr. (Melinda Morgan); grandchildren, Brandon Swick, Jordan Swick, William Turner, and Sierra Phillips; and great-grandchildren, Ava Swick, Jackson Swick, Cora Swick, Luka Swick, Dax Swick, Joshua Swick, and Ellie Swick; and brother, Freddie Asbury, sister Debbie Custer.

      Family requests relatives and friends to visit the family owned Gonce Funeral Service P.A. 4001 Ritchie Highway on Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral Service on Friday at 1 PM, followed by interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

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