Kenneth Ray Phillips Sr.  was born on April 26, 1935, in Ashland City, TN to Gertrude Woodson Phillips and James Phillips. He was the youngest of five children. At 7 years of age, after the death of both parents, Kenneth and his 2 brothers moved to Paducah where he lived with his uncle, Martin Phillips.

Always a hard worker, at 13 he held various jobs in the city, delivering coal, waiting tables at the Paducah Country Club and a clerk at a downtown men's store. After graduating Lincoln High School, Kenneth enlisted in the Navy. He wanted to go to college, and he knew with the GI Bill that would be possible.

Kenneth completed his Navy tour and graduated from Tennessee State University with a master's degree in social work. During this time, he met and married Margaret Griffin. Together they had 5 children. Kenneth also met Damon Williams and Dr George Locket while pursuing his degree in Nashville, TN.  The three men remained best friends throughout their lives.

Kenneth believed in service to others and that education was the path to social and economic freedom. He was active in the 1960's civil rights movement while serving as president of the Louisville NAACP. Kenneth continued to work with NAACP when he returned to Paducah in 1977 where he again served as president.  He was also chairman of ASSWB, the national licensing board for social workers, where he worked with other social workers to improve the quality of care provided nationwide.

Kenneth's career took him across the country. But he returned to Paducah in 1977, where he was an active member of Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a deacon until he relocated to Nashville later in life.

Kenneth passed on August 22, 2024, at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Margaret, his daughter Lisa Phillips Mason, his grandson Kenneth Ray Phillips III and lifelong friend George Locket.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Ella and three sons , Kenneth Jr., Christopher, and Timothy; two daughters-in-law, Pountious and Valencia; his sister, Floy Clark; grandchildren , Tracy Campbell, Brandon Mason, Timothy Jr., Tiffany, Imani, Robert, and Akeyia; seven great-grandchildren ; foster son, Douglas McClure; his lifelong friend, Damon Williams, and a host of other relatives and friends .

James Baldwin wrote, "The purpose of education is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions." Kenneth Phillips lived a good life on his own terms.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Washington Street Baptist Church with Reverend Raynarldo Henderson officiating.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.