Joe
Joe T. Phipps
d. July 13, 2012
"The Mayor", Joe T. Phipps, 92, was reunited in Heaven with his beloved "Jenny" on Friday, July 13, 2012.
Joe was born on October 16, 1919, to the late Edward L. and Rosa Thompson Phipps. Growing up on the family farm in the Rich Valley area of Smyth County, Joe developed a love of horses and community at an early age. In later years, he served as a steward for horse shows in Virginia and Tennessee. He trained and showed American Saddlebreds and Roadster Ponies for many years, and he was the co-owner of P and G Stables.
Joe was elected mayor of Abingdon for 10 years and served a total of 24 years on the town council. Among his many community projects, he was especially proud of spearheading the creation of the Senior Citizens Center and the development of a transit bus system which provides inexpensive public transportation to the citizens of Abingdon.
He and his lovely wife, Jannavee Hurley Phipps, who described Joe as her "only treasure", were married for over 59 years. They were very active in their community and the Abingdon United Methodist Church. Joe was also a 50+ year member of the Civitan Club.
During WWII, Joe served his country in several European locations. After he returned to the United States, he worked for the telephone company in Saltville and Abingdon, retiring as a regional manager with Sprint.
In addition to Jannavee, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward D. Phipps, and his sisters Mabel Lamie, Nina Belle Holmes and Mary Alice Hilt.
Left to cherish his memory are his nephews Harold (Susan) Holmes of Bristol; Don (Tammy) Hilt and Ralph (Sandy) Hilt, both of Tannersville; his nieces Janet (Chris "Hop") Clear of Chilhowie; Becky (Mark) Buckland and Beth (Buddy) Ratcliffe, both of Dublin; as well as his sisters-in-law, Ruth Howe of Dublin and Polly Phipps of Rich Valley. Several great nephews and nieces also survive.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 15, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Abingdon United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Sherry Boles and Rev. Clarence Dishman officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Eddie Gray, Mark Buckland, Ben Buckland, Harold Holmes, Chris Clear, Don Hilt and Ralph Hilt.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff at Grace Healthcare for the loving care they provided to Joe during the last few years. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210; Abingdon Senior Citizens' Center; or Grace Healthcare.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Mr. Phipps is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).
Joe was born on October 16, 1919, to the late Edward L. and Rosa Thompson Phipps. Growing up on the family farm in the Rich Valley area of Smyth County, Joe developed a love of horses and community at an early age. In later years, he served as a steward for horse shows in Virginia and Tennessee. He trained and showed American Saddlebreds and Roadster Ponies for many years, and he was the co-owner of P and G Stables.
Joe was elected mayor of Abingdon for 10 years and served a total of 24 years on the town council. Among his many community projects, he was especially proud of spearheading the creation of the Senior Citizens Center and the development of a transit bus system which provides inexpensive public transportation to the citizens of Abingdon.
He and his lovely wife, Jannavee Hurley Phipps, who described Joe as her "only treasure", were married for over 59 years. They were very active in their community and the Abingdon United Methodist Church. Joe was also a 50+ year member of the Civitan Club.
During WWII, Joe served his country in several European locations. After he returned to the United States, he worked for the telephone company in Saltville and Abingdon, retiring as a regional manager with Sprint.
In addition to Jannavee, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward D. Phipps, and his sisters Mabel Lamie, Nina Belle Holmes and Mary Alice Hilt.
Left to cherish his memory are his nephews Harold (Susan) Holmes of Bristol; Don (Tammy) Hilt and Ralph (Sandy) Hilt, both of Tannersville; his nieces Janet (Chris "Hop") Clear of Chilhowie; Becky (Mark) Buckland and Beth (Buddy) Ratcliffe, both of Dublin; as well as his sisters-in-law, Ruth Howe of Dublin and Polly Phipps of Rich Valley. Several great nephews and nieces also survive.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 15, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Abingdon United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Sherry Boles and Rev. Clarence Dishman officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Eddie Gray, Mark Buckland, Ben Buckland, Harold Holmes, Chris Clear, Don Hilt and Ralph Hilt.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff at Grace Healthcare for the loving care they provided to Joe during the last few years. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210; Abingdon Senior Citizens' Center; or Grace Healthcare.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Mr. Phipps is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe T. Phipps, please visit our flower store.
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