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Virginia Karen Phipps Billings, age 69 of Sparta, NC; passed away on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, NC.
Karen was born March 9th, 1957 in Grayson County, VA to Juanita Phipps and the late Ellis Schley Phipps, Sr. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wayne Billings.
Survivors include her mother, Juanita H. Phipps of Independence, VA; ten siblings: Diana Alderman of Independence, VA, Anita Richardson (James) of Sparta, NC, Ada Phipps (Daniel Moss) of Elk Creek, VA, Schley Phipps, Jr. of Denton, NC, James Phipps (Debbie) of Independence, VA, Bill Phipps (Brenda) of Sparta, NC, Tom Phipps of Elk Creek, VA, Jack Phipps (Leisa) of Galax, VA, Bob Phipps of Elk Creek, VA, Joe Phipps of Elk Creek, VA; a special nephew, Derek Alderman and family of IN; a special friend, Brenda Miller of Piney Creek; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends also survive.
A private graveside service to honor the life of Karen will be held at a later date. No formal visitation will be held.
The family respectfully requests that no food be brought to the home, and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Karen be made to a charity of one's choice.
Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Billings/Phipps family. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia Karen (Phipps) Billings, please visit our floral store.