Obituary: Sherry Phillips

Sherry was born to Carl and Elener Teel of White Salmon, Washington, where she was raised and attended school. Sherry’s first job was at Diamond Fruit Cannery in Hood River. Shortly afterward, she met the love of her life, Amos Phillips. The two were married at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 1959, at the Husum Church of God, beginning a beautiful love story that would last for almost 68 years.

Sherry loved being a homemaker and raising her two children, Debbie and Lonnie. But her love and nurturing spirit reached far beyond her own family. She spent many years babysitting and pouring love into the lives of countless children and adults. Together, Sherry and Amos helped raise 24 foster children. In 1984, Amos and Sherry began a new adventure, moving to Anchorage, Alaska, before eventually settling in Fairbanks. There, they dedicated themselves to serving others through the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. Amos worked in building maintenance, while Sherry ministered to women and helped sort donated clothing.

In 1988, Sherry’s brother Jim invited them to serve at the Roseburg Rescue Mission in Oregon. This brought them closer to family and their two grandchildren. Their years of faithful service continued until they retired from the Portland Rescue Mission in 2000, where Sherry worked at the Women’s Shelter.

Sherry accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the young age of 5, beginning a lifelong journey of unwavering faith, love, and generosity. Her greatest desire was for everyone she met to know the same Jesus she loved so dearly. Even in her final moments at the hospital, she continued sharing that love and making sure those around her knew her savior.

Though our hearts are filled with sorrow because we loved her so deeply, we also find joy and comfort in knowing she is home with Jesus. We imagine the beautiful reunion as she was welcomed not only into her savior’s arms, but also reunited with her mother and her brother Jim, and we picture the two of them singing to their Mom again.

Sherry will be deeply missed by her devoted husband, Amos Phillips; her daughter, Debbie (Tim) Green of Hood River; and her son, Lonnie (Barbara) Phillips of Mohave Valley, Arizona; her beloved grandchildren, Jeremy (Kelsey) Cervantes and Becky (Colby) Goe; her treasured great-grandchildren, Emma, Kyle, Lilly, Lydia, Madison, and Alex; her brothers Carl (Linda) Teel, Dennis (Juleen) Teel of Husum, Washington; sister Judie Kadamas of Grants Pass, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elener Teel; her brother, Jim Teel; and her great-grandson Patrick Cervantes.

A celebration of Sherry’s life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at Odell Baptist Church, 3080 Odell Highway, Hood River. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.

Columbia Gorge News, Oct. 28, 2026