Kathleen "Kathy" Phillips

Kathleen Ann Phillips, 80, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and resident of Midland,Texas for the past 55 years, passed away on November 21, 2024 from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Born as Kathleen Ann Sepich to Frank and Mary Ann Sepich in Raton, New Mexico in 1944, she was known as Dolly to her family but called Kathy by her friends. To all those who loved and knew her, she was extremely loving, beautiful, and compassionate.

Kathy’s husband Edwin E. Phillips predeceased her in 1999. Her son Jim Phillips of Midland Texas, daughter-in-law Brooke, grandson John and her son Mike Phillips of Houston, Texas survive her. She also leaves behind a sister, Phyllis McEndree and husband, Chuck of Phoenix, Arizona and a brother, Dave Sepich and wife, Jayann of Carlsbad, New Mexico and many adoring nieces and nephews. Her parents, older brother, Michael Sepich and niece Katie also preceded her in death.

After graduating from high school in 1962, she moved with her family to Carlsbad, New Mexico where her father worked in the potash mines. In Carlsbad, Kathy became the executive assistant to the Carlsbad chief of police. Her future husband Ed worked as a fireman in the same complex. They married in 1965 and in 1967 with their young son, Jimmy, Kathy and Ed moved to Las Cruces, NM so that Ed could complete his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at New Mexico State University. Kathy secured a secret security clearance and worked in the computer section at White Sands Missile Range so that Ed could attend classes full time. After graduation in 1969, they moved to Midland where Ed accepted a job at Texaco and later became established as an independent landman in the oil industry. After having another son, Mike, they became very active in local schools and baseball leagues where their sons excelled.

 After her sons left for college, Kathy returned to school. She acquired a beautician’s license and became an instructor at Midland Beauty College. She later pursued a degree in nursing, but her career was cut short by the illness and death of her husband Ed in 1999. She was active at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, continued to prepare fabulous holiday food and gatherings for her family, had wonderful groups of friends, and cared for her aging parents in New Mexico. One of the greatest joys of her life was the birth of her grandson, John.

 Kathy’s life was a perfect example of how to truly put your faith into action. She happily followed Jesus’ teaching to “love one another as I have loved you.” Her family is heartbroken with her passing but will follow her legacy of charity and compassion.

Funeral services will be held at St. Edward Parish in Carlsbad, New Mexico on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Hruday Kumar Pasala celebrating and burial will be next to her beloved Ed and her parents at Carlsbad Cemetery.