James Phillips : Obituary

Rev. James R. Phillips, 93, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away February 11, 2011 at home in Blue Ridge. He will Lie In State at the Royston First United Methodist Church from 2:00pm until service at 3:00pm and then burial to follow in Royston’s Rose Hill Cemetery.

James Rush Phillips was born in Hart County, Georgia August 1, 1917. His parents were James Rush Phillips, Sr. and Flora Adams Phillips. He attended school in Hart County graduating from Hartwell High School. As a child he attended the Macedonia Methodist Church in Hart County. He was a graduate of Reinhardt College, Emory College and the Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. After graduation from college Lois Gregory of Eatonton, Georgia became his wife. He joined the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church and served as pastor in churches in the conference until retirement in 1983. He also served as chaplain at the hospital in Warm Springs, GA and taught for a few years at Reinhardt College.

After retirement, he and Lois moved to Royston, GA and then later to Blue Ridge, GA near their daughter Flora Jean. He loved the churches, the towns and more importantly the people he served during his career. He was very active in the Boy Scouts and served as Scout Leader. Even after retirement he continued to be very active in church and other civic organizations. J.R. took up the hobby of wood carving gathered memories, photos and articles he wrote through the years and made books for each of his children. He wrote a short biography of his life including each church and his family’s history.

J.R. was survived by their four children: Flora Jean Grindstaff and husband Bill of Epworth, Georgia, Rush Phillips and wife Carolyn of Mableton, Georgia, Gregory Phillips of Atlanta and Mark Phillips and wife Luci of Atlanta; seven grandchildren: Daniel Phillips, Jennifer Phillips, Sam Grindstaff, James Phillips, Nellie Phillips, Grogan Phillips and Asa Phillips; and a sister, Mrs. Martha Ellen Deming of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, sisters Uriel McGee and Catherine Norris and brothers Allen, Milton, Frank and Charles.

A special thank you is given to the caregivers: Karen, Melanie, Linda, Christine, Denise, and Sam who cared for J.R. Also, much appreciation is given to the Amedisys Hospice Service of Blue Ridge for their care and direction.

(In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be given to Reinhardt College, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska, Georgia 30183-2981, (reinhardt.edu), where he and his wife attended and first met each other, or to the Royston United Methodist Church, Royston, GA. (www.roystonfirstumc.org).