Vinita Lou Owens Phillips

Vinita Lou Owens Phillips died peacefully on Saturday, February 4, 2023, after a short illness.

Vinita was born on April 22, 1930, in Calhoun, Georgia, to the late Louis Paul Owens and Julia Fields

Groves Owens. She was raised, along with her brother, L.P. Owens, Jr., on the family farm in Red Bud.

Her mother was one of several sisters, so she grew up surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins with

whom she was close. She graduated from Calhoun High School in 1948 and went on to graduate from

Wesleyan College, where she majored in education. After graduation, she became a teacher in the

Gordon County School System, married her beloved husband, Jim, and moved to Dalton. They had four sons in

six years and Vinita became a full-time homemaker. She was well known as an excellent cook and

hostess all while juggling the responsibilities of raising four active boys.

Vinita was a dedicated member of Dalton First United Methodist Church where she and Jim were faithful members of the choir. She was an active in her Sunday School Class, Circle, and the Garden Club,

and enjoyed and cherished the friendships forged in those organizations. In her later years, she and Jim

moved back to the family farm in Red Bud where she spent time with her dogs and caring for Jim and

her extended family. She found great joy in her relationship with each of her grandchildren and

cherished their visits to the farm. 

Vinita and Jim were married for 65 years until his death last September. She is survived by: her brother,

L.P. Owens, Jr.; four sons, Marc Phillips, Eric Phillips and his wife Frances, Todd Phillips and his wife

Christy, and Dean Phillips and his wife, Ginger; five grandchildren, Jamie Lou Lowe, Mark Taylor Phillips,

Marshall Phillips, Nate Phillips, and Will Phillips; as well as nieces Julie Owens Leggett and Anna Owens

Dunston, and by nephew Philip Boston and his wife Sharon.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Minnie Lou for the care provided to

both Vinita and Jim, particularly in their last years.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 11AM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the family cemetery.

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Vinita Lou Owens Phillips.