Marie Etta Cannon Phillips, age 91, of Forest City, died Sunday, November 15, 2020 at home.

     Marie was the twelfth child of fourteen born to Lloyd Alfred Cannon and Martha Elizabeth Baynard Cannon on November 17, 1928.  She lived her entire life in Rutherford County.  Born into a family of mainly textile workers, at the age of sixteen, she joined her family working in the mill.  Being a part of the life in the mill village created a legacy of a strong work ethic and a volume of stories that told of a special time in Rutherford County history.

     Marie was married to Howard L. Phillips who was a store owner in Henrietta, N.C.  She reflected on their time together fondly.  After his death, Marie returned to her fulltime focus which was her family.  She was the loving aunt who guided with a strong expression of right and wrong, but always with the purpose of making life better for all.  After retiring from J.C. Cowan, she devoted her time to caring for young children.

     In addition to her parents and husband, Marie was predeceased by her thirteen siblings: Ralph Clyde Cannon, Russell Lee Cannon, Vestie C. Gentry, Ruby C. Green, Bertie C. Pearson, Lloyd F. Cannon, Lester Cannon, Clarence “Jud” Cannon, Cleo Cannon, Clyde Cannon, Beatrice C. Pace, Helen C. Byers, and Rosie C. White.

     Marie is survived by one brother-in-law, Garland F. Byers, Sr. (Helen).  Also surviving are her many beloved and loving nephews and nieces who will remember the stories and advice she shared with her family for almost ninety-two years.  Marie considered Caroleen United Methodist Church as her church home.

     The family will receive friends at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon, November 21st with the service to follow at 3:00 PM in the Harrelson’s Funeral Chapel.  The internment will follow in the Byers Family Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.