Obituary

Claude Blaine Phillips age 67 of Stearns, Kentucky departed this life on Monday, September 7, 2020 at the Jean Waddle Hospice Care Center in Somerset, Kentucky.

He was born on November 20, 1952 in Somerset, Kentucky to the late Rev. Luther Phillips and Ethel (Crisp) Phillips.

In addition to his parents, Blaine is preceded in death by 8 sisters and their husbands, Zora and Dave Myers, Dora and Wendell Adkins, Laura and Denzil King, Imogene and Merril Watlers, Pat and Ron Hill, Mickey and Donald Lee Maxwell, and Clotine Phillips Clark; and 4 brothers, Alonzo Phillips, Eugene Phillips, Luther Phillips, Jr., and Carlos Phillips.

Surviving family include his wife of 45 years, Kathy (Bruce) Phillips; a daughter, LeighAnn Blois (husband, Brandon) of Louisville, Kentucky; a son, Dustin Phillips (wife, Rachel) of Corbin, Kentucky; and grandchildren, Hayden Fineisen, Hunter Fineisen, Taylor Phillips, Rex Phillips, and Brynlee Phillips.

Also surviving is Blaine’s twin brother, Wayne Phillips (wife, Patsy) of Stearns, Kentucky; an uncle Forest and aunt Susie Phillips of Sidney, Ohio; brother-in-law, Winfred Clark; 2 sisters-in-law, Julie Phillips and Debbie Phillips; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that he loved dearly.

After graduating from McCreary High School, Blaine went on to college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Education and later his Master's, as well as his Rank I. He returned back to spend the next 27 years teaching for the McCreary County School System. He began his first-year teaching at Revelo Elementary and retiring many years later at Pine Knot Elementary.

In 1975 Blaine and wife Kathy, along with his sister, Mickey, opened the McCreary Flower Shop and was in operation together until 1998. In January of 1982 Blaine was appointed Chief Magistrate of District 7 and served for one term. In 1999, Blaine and Kathy opened Southway Stop and Go Market and was in operation in Strunk, Kentucky until 2010. During those same times, Blaine was sworn in for Judge-Executive of McCreary County for two terms, once in 2002 and again in 2006.

Blaine was a role model to many and although he took much pride in his work, Blaine was a Godly man, first and foremost. He was a member of the Walkers Chapel Baptist Church and was a devoted husband and loving father to his children. He was also a member of the Masonic Orie S. Ware Lodge and a Kentucky Colonel. Blaine’s leadership and commitment to the people of McCreary County has made him many lifelong friends that will mourn his loss.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Mt. View Baptist Church. Burial to follow in the Mt. View Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday after 6:00 pm at the Pine Knot Funeral Home.

Pine Knot Funeral Home is assisting the family of Blaine Phillips with funeral arrangements