Velda Phillips

Velda Sue Smith Phillips (Ved), passed peacefully at the home of her daughter, Lori, on _ Sunday August 18, 2025 in Cape Girardeau, MO. She was born In Livingston County on June 12, 1934, to Raymond and Katherine Smith. She is survived by daughters Rhonda Ash (Chris) Paducah, Valerie Phillips (Shawn), Paducah, Lori (Steve), Cape Girardeau, MO, son Todd Daily Phillips, Duncan, SC, and chosen family members, Tony and Nancy Page of Paducah, KY. She’s lovingly remembered by seven grandchildren, Jessica Handley (Star), Lindsay Augustino (Jason), Whitney LeBlanc (Sam), Amber Carmack (Brian), Meagan Guyette, (Jim), Nick Augustino, and Alexis “B” Ash; and 11 great-grandchildren. Liberty Guyette, Shanice Handley, Jenay Handley Emma Karin, Parker Guyette, Gabriel Augustino, James Guyette, Scout Karin, Graysen Augustino, Jase Carmack, And Greer Augustino. All who knew her will agree her joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her spirit was generous, compassionate, and she would have your back, no matter who you were at odds with. She had an impeccable green thumb and was able to pass on cuttings and seedlings she had nurtured from her grandmother. Rather than trust any of her girls with plants, during the cold winter, she would crowd them all into her home to keep them thriving. Summertime brought tabletops and counters filled with dozens of quarts of tomatoes, green beans, peaches, corn and other vegetables she and Pap would harvest from the farm in Livingston County. She was an avid reader and kept up to date with things going on in the world through the Paducah Sun and televised news. She was born in Livingston County, and although residing in Paducah most of her adult life, she made weekly treks back to ‘the county’ (referred to as ‘going up’) for hair appointments, visiting the family (Daily) farm, and stopping in to visit with her friend Katherine. A big highlight in the 60’s was grabbing Katherine and heading for downtown Paducah to take advantage of the sales on “Paducah Day”, a day long shopping event usually held on President’s Day. The day would start and end with laughter, and both found joy in their bond of friendship. She will always be remembered for her sense of humor and having the last word…. which was usually something funny. To recharge from all of her time with others, Mam could often be found “jammin”, as she would open the windows on cool days, crank up her music, and rock in her chair. Whether it was Chris Stapleton or Charlie Pride, Mam was singing every word. Lovingly known as ‘Mam”, as each grandchild was born, mom and baby went directly to “Mam’s house” for a minimum of two weeks. From this time on, all the grandkids came to know there were no rules at Mam’s house. If the meal for Sunday dinner was fried chicken, and someone asked for roast beef, then a hearty roast was served up on a platter beside the chicken. Tubs of crayons, books, Disney movies and baby dolls filled every room, and no visit to Mam’s was complete without a trip to Tot n Teen. She had a heart for all children. On her dining excursions to Cracker Barrel, young children who just happened to be dining at the table next to her would often be the recipient of a small gift from the toy department. Of the many charities she supported in particularly was the Native American Schools. Known especially for her cooking, you could find friends and non-family members popping in around mealtimes to enjoy her cooking, knowing there would always be an invitation to stay, and there would always be enough. All the children can account that when going to a church potluck, you would be tasked with carrying in pans, bowls, and platters of enough food to feed not only her family but several. She was particularly welcoming of anyone at her table, from the UPS man to friends of her grandchildren, which resulted in a “family” net that was cast across the world. Her trip to the Holy Land enriched her spirit of serving. She and her husband were large supporters of the Global Harvesters Foundation, Inc., a non-profit that collects and distributes donations to missionaries, specifically supporting friends who were doing God’s work in Guatemala. They opened their home many times to missionaries traveling through the area, where she did their laundry and cooked meals for them. That dedication to serving was evident in the tireless effort they put in to cooking and cleaning in preparation for the Hurricane Campground Meetings at Tulu in Crittenden County. She worked behind the scenes with her husband for 16 years cleaning the church campground and helping to organize the kitchen for the religious services which would be held there for consecutive 10 nights. During the holidays you could find boxes in array and the aroma of fudge for days as she prepared treats to deliver to the elderly or the needy. A lot of her kindness was directed at the elderly. She always related well to those who had lived their life and found themselves where they needed to call on someone for help. She could always be counted on to step in and help those who needed a pat on the back, food, wood to burn, or just something to brighten their day. Any given Sunday afternoon she could be found visiting or taking friends to visit someone in a nursing home facility. She believed in giving her time and resources to those who really needed it. She and her husband raised their children in a home that fostered these actions, and their attitude of doing and giving has taken hold in each one. A very heartfelt thank you to Crown Hospice of Cape Girardeau. She was preceded in death by her, husband of 63 years, Rodney (Pap) Phillips, brother Bennie Smith, grandson, Wesley Augustino of Grand Rivers, KY. and beloved childhood friend, Katherine Lasher. The family invites you to bid a fond farewell to Mam in a graveside service 2 p.m. Sunday August 24, 2025 at Hampton Cemetery, 967 Carrsville Rd, Hampton, KY 42047. The Rev. Dave Garrett officiating. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital,501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105, or The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Lindsey Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com.