Katie “Katiebug” Phillips, 29, of China, died Monday, April 6, 2015.  She was born on October 21, 1985, in Beaumont, to Deborah Lynn Price and Steven Emanuel Phillips, and had been a longtime resident of the area.

Katie is survived by her fiancé, Lewis Kibodeaux, of China; father, Steven Phillips and his wife, Lynette, of China; mother, Debbie Rigsby and her husband, Bill, of Nome; brother, Matthew Phillips, of Beaumont; sisters, Stella Greer, of Nome; Deanna Hays and her husband, Joseph, of Gautier, Mississippi; Andrea Slaydon and her husband, Brandon, of Kingwood; and Nicki LaRocca and her husband, Nathan, of Beaumont; grandparents, Stella and Frank Guillory; Dorothy Phillips; Avis and Earl Rigsby; Jewel Kocurek; Nancy and Ted Price; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives, and friends. Katie will be especially missed by her faithful canine companion, “Small-One”.

She is preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Wes Greer; grandfather, Joe Phillips; and maw maw, Maudie Kibodeaux.

Katie will be remembered for her youthful spirit, infectious laugh, and her ability to love everyone and everything unconditionally.

A gathering of Katie’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at China Cemetery, China.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

Katie shall be celebrated. She believed she could, so she did.