Obituary of Aimee Phillips

Aimee Holtzclaw Phillips passed away peacefully November 8, 2022, at her home surrounded by family and friends. Aimee was born August 29, 1963 to Merle and Jean Holtzclaw in Charlotte North Carolina. Aimee ran the race that her beloved Heavenly Father laid out before her faithfully to the end. Aimee was different than most and she never cowered around those who may have been taken aback by these differences. To know Aimee or even to just meet her briefly, you knew that this was a person who loved life, family, friends and especially her precious Jesus. Aimee came to know the Lord at a young age at a summer camp and her embracing of this became evident right from the start. Just this past week, her longtime friend Kim shared a story how at elementary school, Aimee boldly shared her faith with the other kids and how they all marveled at who this girl was sharing their need for a savior and there need to be saved. That never stopped. Standing in a line or sitting in a waiting room was not a burden to Aimee, instead it was an opportunity to seize upon a nearby person and start up a conversation and more often than not, she had phone numbers, email addresses or plans to meet at a later date. Jesus Christ was always introduced and worked into these conversations. Aimee was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997 and this was some thing to keep an eye on but no treatments etc were performed until the early 2000s. This tumor grew as cancers do and Aimee's life changed into one of constant scans, MRIs and different treatments. But if you think this became Aimee's story, you missed the earlier part that I mentioned about Aimees story concerning lines, waiting rooms and any other opportunity to wait. Aimee was never a "why me" cancer patient but more of a "why not me" patient. She relished the opportunity to meet people that the Lord put in her path to share her story and through that, she could always share the Lords involvement in her life. Amazingly, Aimee never looked sick, right up to the end. This was always confusing to those that she would share her story with and she never failed to say that she was a miracle that the Lord decided to keep around just to share her story. Unfortunately, cancers are a month to month and a scan to scan lifestyle but Aimee always embraced this and never complained. Until the end of her life, Aimee always wanted to talk about the other person and what they had going on more than she ever wanted to talk about her situation. She was always quick to uplift and encourage and then see how she may help the other person. To say Aimee loved fiercely would be an understatement. She loved her father Merle and her mother Jean who had passed away previously 19 years ago. Her mom was a well-known educator and French teacher and although Aimee never became fluent in the language, she always embraced everything French. She loved creating in the kitchen and became quite the well-known chef. She loved creating in the garden and home as well, always with a French twist. Aimee loved good wine, good coffee and pairing these with the right foods. But she loved more of the gathering around the table with family, old friends and especially new friends, lovingly referred to as Aimee's strays. It is amazing how the love of life and the story of Gods love and his son Jesus can be shared around a table breaking bread, and this was Aimee's life's work. Yes Aimee succeeded in the parts of life that this world holds important, such as a college degree and a professional career etc. but none of that was ever as important to her as loving people and they were her passion! Aimee loved her family passionately as well. She is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Hailey Brown and Haileys husband, Palmer and her two cherished granddaughters Lucy and Abby. Allie Acquah is her second daughter along with her husband, Emanuel and her four beloved grandchildren, Owen, Jaden, Isaiah, and young Aiden. She also has three stepchildren who she embraced as if they were her own, Jakob Phillips and his wife Savanna and their son Judah. As well as her beloved Jeb Phillips and last but not least, her stepdaughter Landry Rose. Also, her brothers Tim Holtzclaw and his wife Angie and their son Jeremy as well as her youngest brother Jeremy Holtzclaw and his children, Landon, Chandler and Lily. Her aunt Jenny Holtzclaw was always a constant in Aimee's life as well as numerous other cousins and their families who Aimee always maintained contact with. There isn't enough paper or ink to write down all of Aimee's friends but all of you know the importance of your story with Aimee. She is also survived by her husband, Chuck, who only had the good pleasure of being married to his "Little Beauty" for just over five years but what an amazing time that was. I always joked with her about how we were each firstborns and it seemed we were always jockeying for position to be the one who was right. Aimee would always comment how I was drawn to her because of her fiery disposition and passion about everything. Aimee was my beloved wife, but most of all, my friend, and I as well as everyone else mentioned here will miss her deeply. The family would like to thank all of those who helped in Aimee's last few months as well as Amorem Hospice, who exhibited such loving care and compassion to our Aimee. Please, in lieu of flowers, please generously donate to this great organization. Amorem's nurse, Cindy, who was Aimee's main nurse used the word "transitioning" in Aimee's final couple of days and although that is not a biblical word, it is very biblical! Aimee passed away in the life that God gave her on this earth but she "transitioned" peacefully into the arms of her Lord to begin her "real life in her real home." Aimee we all anxiously await seeing you soon! Godspeed Celebration of Life Service for Aimee will be conducted Saturday afternoon, November 12, 2022, at 1 o'clock at the Harvest House Church in Boone, officiated by Pastor Darrell Roberts. Memorials may be made to Amorem Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or at their website www.amoremsupport.org Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Phillips family.