Irene Cohee Phillips

Irene Cohee Phillips of Easton passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. She was nearly 93 years old. Born June 13, 1932, in Harmony, MD to the late Benjamin and Mary Williamson Cohee. Irene was a 1949 graduate of Preston High School and recently enjoyed attending her 76th high school reunion. During high school years, Irene enjoyed the honor of having been crowned Miss Caroline County Farm Queen. Irene married the greatest love of her life, Kenneth R. Phillips on August 6, 1959. In addition to excelling in the roles of wife and mother, Irene became a valued employee for several local businesses over the years working parttime as a waitress, bank teller, and retail sales. Her 60-year marriage with Ken was the epitome of a marriage made in heaven until his passing occurred in 2020. Irene and Ken shared a special term of endearment for each other, “Honeypot” and family and friends fondly referred to the couple as “The Honeypots.” A lifelong member of First Baptist Church Easton during which she taught Sunday School with toddlers, Irene previously held active memberships with Ladies of the Elks #1622, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and Talbot Hospice Festival of Trees. Alongside husband Ken, they belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars E.E. Streets Memorial Post #5118 and happily helped serve many a Friday-night dinner to the public. The pair also enjoyed volunteering many years together for Easton’s Waterfowl Festival. Irene will be remembered for being a loving and sacrificial wife, mother, and friend to many. Her favorite pastime once “The Honeypots” became empty nesters was traveling extensively with Ken by motor home. She also enjoyed many fun trips with her girlfriends, always intrigued by everywhere she went. Surviving Irene are five children: Donna Smith Glime (Jack) of Easton, Guy Alonza Phillips of Melbourne, FL, Carol Phillips Smith (Skip) of Lamoine, ME, Lorraine Phillips Webster (Richard) of Trappe, MD, and Kristi Phillips Bridges (Dan) of Easton. Also surviving Irene are 12 grandchildren: Alecia Rose, Pharisee Phillips, Shoshanna Phillips, Leslie Smith, Bradley Graves, Nicholas Bridges, Tony Glime, Megan Maheux, Logan Kirby, Phillip Graves, Zachary Bridges and Benjamin Smith; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Irene is predeceased by her parents, husband Ken, son Roger Smith, granddaughter Jennifer Glime, brothers Norris Cohee, John Cohee, Robert Cohee and Earl Cohee. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday, May 21st, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Easton. Funeral service to begin immediately following at 11 a.m. If you wish, memorial donations in Irene’s honor may be made to First Baptist Church, 115 Idlewild Ave., Easton, MD 21601 or to The Salvation Army, 200 Washington Street, Cambridge, MD 21613.

Irene Cohee Phillips

June 13, 1932 - May 11, 2025