A local minister has passed away and interment is scheduled for today (9/16/24) for the Rev. Arzolla Ilee Phillips at 12:30 p.m. at East Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Services were held Saturday, Sept. 14, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville.
A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, she received her bachelor’s degree in education from Bluefield State College. She obtained a master’s in elementary education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a master’s in theological studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville.
She was the first African-American female to be ordained in the Christian church in the state of Tennessee.
After her ordination, she became pastor of Calvary Temple Christian Church in 1990 and began her pastorate at Bentley Street Christian Church in 1991. Under her leadership, the church grew in membership, participation and individual spiritual growth.
She was married to the late Ernest Phillips. Other family information is included in the obituary here.