Rheta Southall Phillips, a cherished mother and loving grandmother departed this life on December 22, 2025, at the age of 91 in the residence of Alive Hospice, Nashville, Tennessee. Born on January 21, 1934, in Fordyce, Arkansas, Rheta lived a life rich in dedication to her family.

Rheta’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Education degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR, where she graduated in 1955 as a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society (Arkansas Epsilon). Following graduation, she married her children’s father, Louie Singleton, and they both worked as teachers in various school districts throughout AR. Rheta was fortunate in that she was able to take a number of years away from teaching to devote herself to her children volunteering as a Boy Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. Teaching in Arkansas during the historic ruling of Brown vs. the Board of Education, Rheta stood on the front lines in support of education for all.

Rheta successfully completed a three-year Supply Management Internship with the Department of Army Development and Readiness Command from 1977 to 1980. The first ten months were intensive classroom training focusing on management, the supply system(s) and the logistics management program at Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. This included on the job training and was followed by two years of intensive work and some classroom training at the Army Ammunition Command in Rock Island, Illinois. When this was completed, Rheta transferred to Miesau Army Depot in 1981 and the 60th Ordnance Group in Zweibrücken, Germany in 1983. Rheta returned to the States in 1985 and worked  for almost 10 more years at what used to be called "Fort Lee" in Petersburg, VA, before retiring with distinguished honors in 1995 as a Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist. Rheta made significant contributions to office automation and to maintaining supply readiness. Rheta was published in Military Review, the Professional Journal of the United States Army (Military Review - April 1991; page 9 - 13) for her work on the Logistic Automation Support Systems for Desert Storm. She was admired and respected by all of the people who worked with her.

After her transfer to Rock Island Army Arsenal, she met Donald Phillips at a laundromat in Bettendorf, IA where they both lived. They struck up a conversation surrounding the circumstances of their relocation and quickly began a romance that soon led to marriage in 1981 just prior to her transfer to Germany. Some of her favorite years were spent alongside her husband taking weekend trips throughout Germany, France and Austria navigating the hilly landscapes to reach the many medieval castle ruins along the Rhine River and Roman ruins throughout Germany. In her quieter moments, she found joy browsing antique shops and skillfully refurbishing furniture.

After returning stateside, Rheta and her husband purchased a home in Colonial Heights, VA where they lived until his death in 2022. Rheta then resided at Petersburg Home for Ladies until moving to Red Cedar Glen in Hendersonville, TN, so she could be closer to her grandson, followed shortly thereafter by her daughter.

Throughout her life, Rheta wore many hats, but her most treasured role was that of a devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Julianne Singleton Mcallister; grandson, Michael Lucas Mcallister (Sarah Fowler); granddaughter, Lyndsy Michelle Smith (Travis); and great grandsons, Cameron Smith and Lucas Mcallister. Rheta also held a special place in her heart for her two brothers, Jarrell Southall and Lane Southall, and nephews, Charles Southall and David Henricks. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald E. (Don) Phillips; her parents, Webster and Mary Southall; her sister, Edith Henricks; her sons, Tony Lahron Singleton and John Stanton Singleton; and her nephew, Jarrell Duncan (JD) Southall.

Rheta's spirit was characterized by her unwavering devotion to her family, always prioritizing their education, financial security and future.

Though Rheta's passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of her loved ones, her legacy of love and inspiration continues to resonate. In honor of her life, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (heroes.vfw.org).

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Rheta Phillips Obituary | Choice Cremation