OBITUARY: Mary “Kathryn” Phifer

Nashville, TN resident and longtime McMinnville resident Mary “Kathryn” Phifer, age 86, was born December 11, 1939 in Smithville, TN and died May 26, 2026 following an extended illness.

A retired master scheduler with Carrier Corp. and a member of Westwood Church of Christ, she was the daughter of the late John Comer and Carmen Grace Parker Mason. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Phifer; brothers, J.C. Mason, Roy Mason and Hobert Vandergriff; sister, Josephine Hentz and brothers-in-law, Harold (Mary) Phifer, Robert Phifer and David Phifer, and Morris Ferguson.

Kathryn and James both had a love for the game of golf, and Kathryn could often be heard saying, “It never rains on the golf course”. Kathryn also had a deep love of music. She started as a trumpet player with the Warren County Band, and eventually moved on to being a singer, first with the Barber Sharps, and then with the Caravan Singers.

Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Jamie (Joe) Schimenti of Nashville, TN; twin-sister, Carolyn Hobbs of McMinnville; brother-in-law, Percy Phifer of McMinnville; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Phifer, Betty Ferguson and Janie Phifer, all of McMinnville as well as several nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 in High’s Chapel with Jason Cripps and Tim Deason officiating. Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Warren County. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at High’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more obituaries visit our obituaries page.

This obituary was published by High Funeral Home.

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