Karen Phillips, age 72, of Epworth passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 at home. She was born on October 31, 1948 in Shelbyville, IN. Karen was a quality assurance technician at Pilgrims Pride in Ellijay, GA. She was a member, choir member and childrens choir leader at Hipps Chapel Church. Karen loved knitting and crocheting. She was an artist and poet. Karen had a great sense of humor, loved to sing and was devoted to her church and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Vance Shelton and Emma Grimes Shelton and sister, Pam Shelton. Survivors are sons, Johnnie Phillips, Jr. and Gordon Van Phillips and his wife, Julia; daughter, Jennifer Abernathy; best friend, Johnnie Phillips, Sr.; grandchildren, Marcus Brown, Cassandra Jessin, Selina Brown, Jessica Abernathy and Will Abernathy; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Jessin, Aurora Jessin and Parker Brown; brothers, Reverend Fred Shelton and Gary Shelton; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. Funeral Service were conducted on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from the Hipps Chapel Church with Reverend Delmar Davenport and Reverend Fred Shelton officiating. Music was provided by Hipps Chapel Church Choir. Pallbearers were Will Abernathy, Marcus Brown, Brett Sisson, Jonathan Grizzell and Luke Pelfrey. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements. Visitation Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Tuesday, March 16, 2021 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM 7871 Blue Ridge DriveBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions Funeral Service Hipps Chapel Church Wednesday, March 17, 2021 11:00 AM 7212 Hwy 2Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions