of Memphis, TN
February 20, 1963 - December 28, 2019
Phillip Lance Cissell, 56, passed away on December 28, 2019 after a valiant battle with cancer. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Phillip was born on February 20, 1963. He grew up in Joiner, Arkansas and graduated from Rivercrest High School in 1981. He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He began his career at ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Hospital followed by 30 years with Altria Sales & Distribution (Philip Morris USA). After retirement, he became a career counselor with Lee, Hecht, Harrison. He was a long time member of Bellevue Baptist Church, where he volunteered in the pre-school ministry. He loved spending time with his family on Lake Norfolk. He had a passion for landscaping his yard and decorating his home.
Phillip is survived by his wife, Claire McClain Cissell; his daughter, Jordan-Claire; his siblings, Doris Williams (John), Joseph Cissell (Carolyn), Melba Shoemake (Speedy), Sandy Burnett (Jim), and Don Cissell; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jordan and Thelma Cissell. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 2, 2020, from 5-7 pm at Roller-Swift Funeral Home, 2173 US-61, Osceola, Arkansas, and a memorial service will be held at the same location on Friday, January 3, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Love Worth Finding (P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183), Wings Cancer Foundation (7945 Wolf River BLVD, Germantown, TN 38138), or St. Jude (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105).
Kyndra and family,
I’m so sorry about your loss of your beloved Uncle and your Mom’s baby brother. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Love you
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. I am a cousin and grew up with Doris, Joe and Melba. We played together and went to school together until they moved from Wilson to Joiner. May God Bless the family through this time of grief.
With Deepest Sympathies
I can't begin to say to Claire and Jordan Claire how sorry I am to open Facebook tonite and read of Phillip passing!!!! I am very shocked.
My most recent memory of him and the last time I saw him was at my moms funeral 2 years ago. He even got up and spoke and had all of us laughing with his memories of my mom and my dad.
Phillip and Claire lived in a duplex next door to my folks for several years. He was always so polite and willing to help them with anything. He was a dear precious man and will be missed here so much!! I am sure my parents in heaven gave him a huge hug when he transitioned there a few days ago.
I still can't believe this. I will be praying for you Claire and your daughter. I am so very sorry.
Love, Leann Luther
The world has lost a fine man and I and many others have lost a dear friend. Phillip was a man of so many talents, but his greatest gift was being a true friend, loyal, generous, honest and caring. He was always so much fun and I’ll always remember his laugh. He will stay alive in my heart. He loved his family fiercely and was so proud of his daughter. I give thanks that I had the chance to know Phillip. God bless Claire, Jordan-Claire and th Cissell family.
My sincerest condolences to the entire Cissell family. I was blessed to know Phillip through Altria. The one thing for sure that was known about Phillip was his love for his family and God. Till we meet again. My prayers are with the family.
So sorry to hear of your passing Lance but you've won your race !!
I knew Phillip through work and had the highest regard for him. Always nice, always smiling and always helpful. Such a good person. I am grateful he is with our Lord now.
Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers of comfort to the family.
Words cannot come close to the hurt that I feel for Phillip’s family and friends. He was loved by everyone that knew him. He especially gained the love and respect from his co-workers of Altria. I met Phillip about 25 years ago. We worked on several projects together. He was one person that was truly amazing with his love for God, his family, and his co-workers, I was blessed to work with him on a panel of four for several years. We worked hard but we also had many laughs. The example I always think of is when he and his 2 co-conspiracies convinced me that a group of turtles was called a “Tuttle of Turtles†and I believed it for years. Words cannot express how much he affected so many lives in a positive way! Rest In Peace my precious friend!
Susan Tyndall Coyne
Joe and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Phillip's death. I always remember him with a smile on his face and a friend to everyone. May God bless you and your family.