Obituary

Celebration of Life For

Carolyn F. Phipps

Sunrise: June 6, 1949 – Sunset: March 16, 2021

Carolyn F. Phipps passed from this life to her eternal home on March 16, 2021 at the age of 71. She was a lover of people and doted on her family, friends and young children. 

Carolyn began her race on June 6, 1949 in a small country town fifteen miles southeast of Okmulgee, Oklahoma called wildcat or “cat” commonly Grayson, Oklahoma. She was purely a sweet country girl through and through. Her country walk was more of a prowl then a stride. She was the 6th child of Earl A. and Thelma Tompkins. 

Carolyn attended public schools in her hometown. After graduation, she morphed into lion when she prowled Langston University campus and earned her B.A. in Elementary Education. She spent two years teaching public school in Brooklyn New York. Her hunger for learning caused a second metamorphosis. This time she morphed into a Texas Southern Panther, where she attained her Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist. From Houston, she returned to Tulsa and began a career as a Probation Officer. The winds of timely hurricane swept her into Tulsa University, where she attained her Juris Doctorate (J.D) Degree in Law.

August 2, 1975 Carolyn married Charlie Phipps Jr and one son (Rashad Phipps) was born to their union. They remained married until her untimely death.

Carolyn was an educator at heart, however she joined her husband’s law firm, thereby creating Phipps, Phipps & Associates Attorneys at Law.  Carolyn’s delicate nature lead her to take on the practice of family law, estates, adoptions and juvenile matters. She was a prolific reader, community activist, and member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling back home with her sister Thelma, to be around family and friends. Carolyn was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church and later converted to a Jehovah Witness.

Carolyn was proceeded in death by her father Earl A. Tompkins, mother Thelma Tompkins, mother in-law Callie DeBerry, two siblings, and one sister in-law.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Charlie Phipps Jr., son Rashad Phipps, stepdaughter Wynetta (Jerry) Littles all of Tulsa; one stepson Charlie lll (Lindiwe) Phipps Nashville, TN; Adopted Daughter Tonisha Colbert, Sergeant Bluff, IA.  Siblings: Jean (Horace) Stevenson; Elnora (Othello) Dotson; Barbara Hastings; Herman (Michelle) Tompkins all of OKC, Oklahoma; Theresia Tompkins, Velma Tompkins, Marcus Tompkins all of Grayson Oklahoma; Hollis (Artis) Tompkins, Thelma Tucker all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Brother and Sister In-laws: Theodis (Eunice) Fipps of Ohio, Birda (Harvey) Potts of OKC, OK, Joe (Pearlie) Fipps, Pearlie Carr, Stonell DeBerry all of Tulsa, Ok. Carolyn leaves bountiful memories to be cherished by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends