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Kathy Jo Phillips, 74, of The Colony, Texas, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 24th, 2024. Kathy was born on December 26th, 1949 to Kenneth and Martha Breneman in Terre Haute, Indiana. Kathy later met Chuck Phillips, the love of her life, and they were married for 57 wonderful years. There, they welcomed their two sons, Brian and Barry. In 1977, Kathy and Chuck made the courageous decision to start a new chapter in their lives by moving to North Texas and locating in The Colony, Texas. They raised their family in The Colony, where later, Kathy became heavily involved with volunteer work for the City of The Colony, specifically with the Parks and Recreation Board, PARDners, The Colony Little League, and other city programs. In 1986, Kathy served as the President of The Colony Little League to develop and establish the league locally. Because of Kathy’s unselfish giving of her time and talents, she was presented The Colony’s Citizen of the Year award in 1991, by the City’s Chamber of Commerce. In 1987, Kathy began working for the Town of Little Elm. She continued working diligently with the Town for 33 years. During that time Kathy went on to accomplish so much. - Kathy served as the Town Secretary of Little Elm for a majority of those years, retiring from this position on 11-30-2020. - In addition: Kathy provided assistance with the Denton County Teen Court between the years of 1996-1997. - Kathy initiated and was instrumental in starting a program in Little Elm in 2000 called Santa’s Elves. The goal was to ensure every child would have a gift to open on Christmas Day, because Christmas was very dear to Kathy’s heart. Santa’s Elves is still in operation to this very day. - In 2004, Kathy earned the title “The Cheesecake Lady” for the Little Elm Fire Department. This was not only due to Kathy’s continued support of the Fire Department during her tenure, but the fact that she made it a point to make a cheesecake for every fireman on their birthday. - Kathy volunteered each Thanksgiving Day for 25 years to the annual Little Elm Thanksgiving Day Dinner that was served to senior citizens. - In 2011, Kathy helped establish Teen Court in Little Elm. - Kathy also loved being a part of the Little Elm Special Olympics, supporting and cheering each contestant onto victory. - Kathy was a friend to all who came in contact with her positive personality. One of Kathy’s proudest accomplishments was serving as a Police Officer for the town of Little Elm. Kathy completed her academy training and became a police officer in 1992. Kathy completed her TCOLE Basic Peace Officer requirements in 1992, Intermediate Peace Officer requirements in 2000, Advanced Peace Officer requirements in 2004, and finally, Master Peace Officer requirements in 2012. In total, Kathy served 23 years and 4 months as an active and reserve police officer before retiring from the Department in 2015. In 2020, Kathy retired from the Town of Little Elm after 33 years. Kathy desired to spend time with her family going to Ranger and RoughRider baseball games, shopping, countless trivia nights, and consistently dominating everyone in playing the card game of Euchre, which she loved to play. Kathy was a beautiful woman inside and out. Her smile was so bright that it would light up any room she was in. Her laugh was so contagious. She cared deeply for the people around her. Kathy was kind and compassionate in all that she did. But above all Kathy had a strong inner strength and presence that kept her moving forward, providing a silent reassuring confidence to those who surrounded her. Kathy had a massive impact on so many lives. Kathy was a Wife, Mom, Meme, and a loving friend to so many. Kathy will be greatly missed, and her legacy will live on forever in our hearts. Kathy was preceded in death by her mother (Martha Breneman) and her father (Kenneth Breneman). Kathy is survived by her husband (Chuck Phillips), her older sister and brother-in-law (Kay and Bruce Reeves), her oldest son and daughter-in-law (Brian and Pam Phillips), her youngest son and daughter-in-law (Barry and Sandy Phillips), and her three grandchildren (Katie McCray and her husband, Sam McCray), (Kelsi Phillips), and (Klarann Phillips). A memorial service honoring and celebrating Kathy will be held at Stonebriar Community Church, main sanctuary, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, beginning at 6:00pm, Brian Phillips presiding. Our family welcomes everyone who knew Kathy to attend to celebrate and remember her wonderful life. Our family requests that flowers and or notes are sent to Stonebriar Community Church, 4801 Legendary Dr, Frisco, TX 75034 beginning May 15th-16th. Arrangements are under the direction of Bradley Shotts and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

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Kathy Jo Phillips

December 26, 1949 - April 24, 2024