Ann Robbins Phillips

5 hours ago

Chris Davis,

Ann Robbins Phillips, 90, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025. She was born on January 31, 1935, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Ann dedicated her life to education and service. A proud graduate of Lambuth College (B.A., 1957) and George Peabody College for Teachers (M.A., 1958), she went on to serve as University Librarian and Assistant Professor of Library Science at Lambuth University for 32 years. She retired in 1997, leaving a legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and care for generations of students.

Her service extended far beyond the university. Ann served several terms on the United Methodist Southeastern Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History. In 1988 she completed the UT Master Gardener program, sharing her love of growing and nurturing with her community. She volunteered faithfully with Area Relief Ministries and RIFA, including a Hurricane Katrina relief trip to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in October 2005.

She loved all musicals and stage productions. She was active for many years in the Jackson, TN Children’s and Teen Theatre. She made numerous trips to New York with the Lambuth theatre group, enjoying hundreds of plays and musicals. Ann remained faithful to her church and was active in group Bible studies, oftentimes hosting the group in her home.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Carl Robbins and Mary Ann Robbins, and her beloved daughter Marian Elizabeth Phillips Simmons. Ann – also known affectionately as Grandy – is survived by her son-in-law Ed Simmons; her daughter-in-law Julia Simmons; her much loved grandsons William Simmons (Sydney), Will Simmons (Carissa), and Seth Simmons (Rachel); and great-grandchildren Hilde, Olivia, and Sullivan Simmons. Ann had limited family in the Jackson area but many people inside and outside of Jackson adopted Ann and loved her like family. She loved you all – thank you for being her adopted family.

Ann will be remembered for her wisdom, her generosity, and her deep devotion to family, faith, and community.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at Forest Heights United Methodist Church in Jackson on October 11^th, 2025, with a 12:30pm visitation followed by a 2:00pm service. If you would like to honor Ann, memorials may be made to Area Relief Ministries or RIFA.

Requiem – for Ann

And so to sleep sweet sister

In Christ to rest

To sleep.

And if in us

Your charity

Can build for men a haven

You will not have died in vain.

When winter with its brittle chill

Creeps through the forests

Of our lives

The memory of your laughter