Lorene Phillips

Lorene Mary Rider Phillips, 86, passed away on May 25, 2022.

Lorene was born on March 24, 1936 and was raised in the mountains of West Virginia and moved to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia as a young girl. The youngest of seven children, Lorene loved to read and learn at school. Some of Lorene's happiest memories were from her high school years at Greenbrier High School. She loved being the Head Cheerleader and was a straight A student. She was popular and people naturally flocked to her vivacious personality. A natural born singer, Lorene performed at the famous Greenbrier Hotel and with various local bands.

Lorene and Russ married on June 16, 1961 and settled in Radcliffe, Iowa as Russ began his teaching career in music. She was a full time Mom to Tony and Liz.  She enjoyed helping out  in the Band office, writing poetry, and painting. Lorene was a valuable asset to Russ as he pursued his Masters Degree in Music Education and critiqued and typed may of his papers. Moving to Manly, Iowa in 1974, gave the family a closer location to a nearby city. Becoming a "Meme" in 1993 was a highlight of Lorene's life. What brought her great joy and sense of freedom was when Russ retired in 1997 and they began the RV lifestyle.

Lorene loved the freedom of travel and the RV lifestyle was perfect for this. They spent most of their time managing the Summerwind RV Park in Dawson, WV during the summer and staying at Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC during the winter. In the between they would visit Liz and Mike and the grandkids in Charlotte, NC. Seeing Tony and wife Robin during the summer was also a highlight for her. Vacationing in the Bahamas was very fun for her and Russ.

Lorene was predeceased by her parents: Clarence Rider and Mary Dilley Rider Eplin, her sisters Violet Carter and Edith Pifer, brothers Howard Rider, Fed Rider and Cecil Rider, husband Russ Phillips, and beloved son Tony Phillips. Lorene is survived by her sister Fay Seay, daughter and son-in-law Liz and Mike Turgeon, daughter-in-law Robin Philips, grandchildren Daniel (wife Leanna), Kate, and Jenny and great grandson Jax.

Lorene loved sharing her faith in Jesus with others and wrote a published poem, "I Found the Answer" in 1997. This poem touched on her life journey and how becoming as Christian changed everything. Lorene will be greatly missed.