Ellen Loraine Phillips

E. Loraine Phillips, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, entered eternal rest with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, June 23, 2017, following a lengthy battle with cancer.



Loraine was born August 30, 1950 to the late Carl B. Phillips and the late Beatrice Hale (Phillips) Rice in Garden Creek, Virginia. Loraine continued to consider Virginia home even after living in many other places-- including Bucyrus, Ohio; Miami, Florida; Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Omaha, Nebraska; and Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1968 and later from Columbus Business University.



Retiring in 2010 from Huntington National Bank in Columbus as Senior Vice President and Director of Bank Operations, Loraine concluded a 41-year banking career which also entailed positions at Pan American Bank, People’s Bank and Trust, and First Tier Bank. Loraine volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Columbus and later served as director of the board for Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Omaha. She served on the board of directors for the National Kidney Foundation of Ohio for six years.



Loraine cherished family and friends and loved meeting new people. Attending family reunions, reading books, and watching classic movies were among her favorite pastimes. Adoring all things related to Gone with the Wind and Presidential history, Loraine also excelled at conducting genealogical research and orchestrating elaborate events.



Preceded in death by her father, Carl Phillips; mother, Beatrice Rice; step-mother, Dorothy Phillips; and beloved aunt, Ruby Sweeton, Loraine is survived by her brother, James Phillips; sister-in-law, Alita (Daiber) Phillips; step-brother, Steve Reed (Linda); step-sisters, Christine Reed (Jackie) and Susan Rigsby (Rick); nieces, Alison Kovac (Marc) and Heidi Manna; nephews, Jared Phillips (LeAnn) and Jeremy Reed; honorary nieces, Fortunate Mukumba (Taurai Pahuwa) and Jennifer Gowin; honorary nephew, Jeff Gowin (Kathy); aunt, Irene Phillips; and many beloved cousins and friends. She is also survived by her precious great-nephews and nieces, A. Preston Kovac, A. Emil Kovac, Alita Kovac, Josie Manna, Laken Manna, and Logan Phillips.



Loraine’s family will receive friends from 5-8 pm Wednesday, June 28, at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus, Ohio, where her funeral will be held at 11 am on Thursday, June 29 with Pastor Larry Bertsch officiating. The Phillips’ family will be available to visit with friends one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.



Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Ohio or to the American Cancer Society through Wise Funeral Service.