Dorbra Phillips Lee

On January 23rd, 2026 Dorbra Adaline Phillips Lee, age 89, passed peacefully from this life to the next in the presence of loved ones here on earth and was received by loved ones who had preceded her. Dorbra was the third of seven children, born April 30, 1936 to Bill and Pauline Phillips, in the area known as “Little Emory” outside Harriman, TN. She was saved and baptized at Big Emory Baptist Church. She attended Little Emory Elementary School and the Harriman City School System. She graduated with Honors from Harriman High. Shortly after graduation she married Benny Scandlyn with whom she had three children. She worked at Union Carbide and Martin Marietta in Oak Ridge. In 1972, she married William R. Lee, and they relocated to Columbus GA in 1974. While in Columbus she worked for Kinnett Dairy and attended night school. She later worked for BlueCross BlueShield where she finished earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After a lengthy, illustrious career with Blue Cross, she moved to Baltimore Maryland where she worked as a private consultant until she retired and moved back to Tennessee in 2005. Upon her return, Dorbra and Lee began to be ever-after referred to as “Grandma” and “Grandpa.” During her remaining years she devoted herself to caring for and loving her husband, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She was tenacious and fierce in her love and generosity, and the world was and will be better for her having been in it. She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Pauline Phillips, brothers James (J.T.) Phillips and Cotton Phillips; sister Cheryl Arnold; stepson Bobby Lee; and the love of her life, her husband of forty-six of years, William R. Lee. Dorbra is survived by: Sisters: Billie Gillis, Thelma Miller and Darlene Jones and husband Gene. Children: Vicki Whitt, Lance Scandlyn and wife Lore, Kurt Scandlyn and Katina Ramsey, Heather Warren and husband Bill, William Robert Lee II (Scooter). Grandchildren: Trevor Woods, Dylan Scandlyn and wife Mandy, David Scandlyn and wife Leslie, Callie Gregory and husband Cale, Mariah Sheets and husband William, Matthew Kelley, Michael Warren, William Warren, Joseph Warren, Elizabeth Warren Giampiccolo, Jessica Simpkins, Jacob Lee, Jody Lee. Great-Grandchildren: Halleigh Woods, Hannah Woods, Kinley Scandlyn, Brett Scandlyn, Jack Scandlyn, Byers Woods, Zion Scandlyn, Oliver Gregory, Miller Sheets, Nora Gregory, Parker Scandlyn, Baker Sheets, Palmer Kelley, Harvey Gregory, Killian Giampiccolo, Madeline Giampiccolo, Molly Giampiccolo, Leah Thornton. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, too many to be counted here. She will be fondly remembered and missed by all. Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Caney Ford Baptist Church, 3469 Roane State Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston is serving the Lee Family.

Dorbra Phillips Lee

April 30, 1936 - January 23, 2026