Lou Ellen Phillips

Lou Ellen Faucett Phillips, 98, passed away on June 28th, 2025 at her home in Arlington, Texas.

Lou Ellen was born on December 19, 1926 in Gadsden, Alabama to Dr. DeWitt and Annie Aiken Faucett. She attended Gadsden City schools and graduated from Gadsden High School in 1944. She graduated from Alabama College (University of Montevallo) with a degree in Retail Home Economics and the following year obtained her certificate in Elementary Education. She married the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Martin Phillips, in 1950, and they had 2 daughters, Susan and Sally. They were married for 72 years, until Dick’s death in 2022.

Lou Ellen was a beloved elementary school teacher in the Gadsden City school system for over 30 years. To this day, many of her students claim her as their “all -time favorite teacher.” In addition to teaching, she was an active member of Gadsden First United Methodist Church, where she was UMW president, sang in the choir and was a founding member of the Morris Friendship Sunday School class. She was involved in many community activities, including Gadsden Music Club, The 21 Supper Club, the Antiquarian Society, the Edenwood Garden Club, The Nanny Goats lunch bunch and her weekly Mah Jong group. She and Dick were able to travel the world after their retirements and made many wonderful memories along the way.

An avid Auburn fan, she loved to attend sporting events, especially football games with both her daughters and 4 grandchildren while they were each in school at Auburn University. In later years, she cheered on her beloved Auburn Tigers from home with her family, always sporting her orange and blue attire.

In 2012, Lou Ellen and Dick made the decision to move to Arlington, Texas to be closer to their family. They moved into Towne Village Crossing in 2014, making many dear friends that became like family. But their greatest joy was living near their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lou Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, James Aiken Faucett.

She is survived by daughters Susan Jordan (Kerry) and Sally Powers (Kirk), grandchildren Blake Jordan (Michele), Lara Jordan Moody (Nathan), Kathryn Powers Ruth (Nick), Ryan Powers (Erin), and 11 great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to the staff at Towne Village Crossing, especially Cholly Gordon, and to her wonderful angels, Peggy Fox, Lynn Townsend and Conny Hubble, who lovingly cared for Lou Ellen as if she were family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Wade Funeral Home on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at Forrest Cemetery in Gadsden, Alabama on Saturday, July 19 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Lou Ellen’s favorite charities: John Croyle’s Big Oak Ranch, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.