LAKE LURE, NC - Thelma Estelle Phillips, 80, of Lake Lure, NC passed away Monday morning, November 24, 2008 in the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC. Born in Rutherford County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Aden R. and Annie Melton Greene and was the widow of Lawrence Phillips who died in 1994. Mrs. Phillips was the owner and operator of El Tango Restaurant from 1948 to 1978 and later Thelma's Mtn. Store in Lake Lure, NC. She was affectionately known to everyone as "Mama Tango". Mrs. Phillips was a life member of Rocky Mount Elk Foundation, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Heritage Society Member of the NRA, and a former First Responder with Lake Lure Fire Dept. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Wolbrecht. Surviving are two sons, Larry Rocky Phillips of Charlotte, NC and Tyrone Dustan Phillips and wife, Penny Gilliam of Lake Lure, NC; one daughter, Rita Swanson-Robinson and husband, Edward of Hendersonville, NC; two sisters, Aileen Jackson of Mill Spring, NC and Mildred Sain of Landrum, SC; one brother, Jimmy Greene of Mill Spring, NC. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Matthew and Jonathan Phillips, Daniel Swanson, USAF and Trinity Phillips, HCSD; two great grandsons, two great granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2008 in Big Level Baptist Church in Mill Spring, NC with the Rev. Robert Orr officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, November 26, 2008 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC. Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.
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