Leslie Phillips

1970 - 2025

Leslie Karen Phillips passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Smoky Ridge Health and Rehab Facility in Burnsville, NC. She was born very early on the morning of April 20, 1970, at Garrett Memorial Hospital, in Crossnore, NC. From her first breath to her last, she was a force-of-nature. She embodied a complex mixture of intellect, wit, creativity, kindness, boldness, and strong spirit. Most of Leslie's adult life was spent elsewhere; but Avery County was always "home" to her.

Leslie was preceded in death by: Paternal grandparents, Ossie and Elijah Phillips; Maternal grandparents, Gloria and James Phillip Young; parents, Diana Young and Bill (William) Phillips, who were her best friends and strongest advocates. Also preceding Leslie in death was her most cherished friend, Chip (Georgann) Daniels Fields.

Leslie is survived by: Maternal aunt and uncle, Vicki and Kenny Caraway; paternal aunt and uncle, Janice and Richard Phillips. 1st cousins: Ben Wise (Jennifer), Christy Phillips Clark (Nathan), and Richie Phillips (Meghan). 2nd cousins: Arlin Wise, Taylor Phillips, and Braydon Johnson.

As a child, Leslie's artistic abilities quickly surfaced. She loved to draw and paint. She learned the art of weaving-by-hand, on large looms, through the tutelage of her grandmother, Ossie, who was a master weaver. Leslie loved animals and always wanted everyone to have a cat!

Leslie's artistic talents were exceptional. She completed her senior year of high school and graduated from the N.C. School for the Arts. Mental illness sent Leslie's life on a different trajectory than her peers. She learned to take each day at a time, appreciate those helping her and protecting her, and the good things about that day. Despite so many challenges, Leslie was environmentally, socially, and spiritually engaged, articulate, and passionate. She was always engaged with her family.

Leslie was able to forge friendships with so many through her accepting nature; and was grateful for those who treated her with empathy and respect. She paid kindness forward.

A celebration of Leslie's life will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 11 a.m., at Fletcher Presbyterian Church, 1578 Cow Camp Road, Newland, NC. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Avery County Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services social worker, Chanda McCoury and her previous social worker, Sherry Mashburn; RHA Health Services, Asheville ACTT Team; and to the staff of Smokey Ridge Health and Rehab, for their endless acts of care and support given to Leslie and on her behalf.

The care of Leslie and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.