Charles Ray Phillips

Published 2:10 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2015

On Sept. 25, 2015, Charles Ray Phillips was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was 87 years old.

Born on June 22, 1928, in Monett, Missouri, he was the only child of Harvey David Phillips and Mae (Howerton) Phillips Foulke.

Mr. Phillips served in the U.S. Army, Missouri National Guard, and U.S. Air Force, retiring as a senior master sergeant with 26 years of service. His military service took him across our great country and to many other countries, including, but not limited to, Japan, Korea, Iceland, Greenland, Germany, Greece, and Afghanistan. Following his retirement from military service, he worked for Hamilton Fixture Co. in Laurel.

Mr. Phillips was a devoted husband and father. He had a kind heart and gave freely of his time and energy to his church, community, family, and friends. He served as an elder for Ellisville Presbyterian Church. He also delivered meals to the elderly and disabled for the Christian Food Mission in Laurel.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother; stepmother, Helen Phillips, and stepfather, Doug Foulke.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce (Terry) Phillips, who was the love of his life; two sons, Charles Phillips (Linda) of Boonville, Missouri, and Dr. Doug Phillips (Kathy) of Meridian; one daughter, Susan Smith (Terry) of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren, Brian Phillips (Samantha) of Lawrence, Kansas, Sean Phillips of St. Louis, Jordan Phillips of Jackson, Tennessee, Haley Phillips of Memphis, Tennessee, Alexandra Phillips of Florence, Alabama, Becky (Smith) Kowen (Kelly) of Katy, Texas, and Greg Smith (Ngoc) of Houston, Texas; and four great-grandchildren, Adeline and Elliott Phillips of Lawrence, Kan., and Brayden and Madelyn Kowen of Katy, Texas.

Funeral services will be 11a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at Ellisville Presbyterian Church in Ellisville. The Rev. Benjamin Glaser will officiate and Rev. Hugh Acton will assist. Interment will follow at the Ellisville City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.  Ellisville Funeral Home has charge of all arrangements, 601-477-3797

Pallbearers will be Brian Phillips, Sean Phillips, Greg Smith, Charlie Probst, Milt Chittenden, and Robert Hayes.

The family would like to express its gratitude for the compassionate care Mr. Phillips received from Drs. Daniel Edney, Murry Whitaker, Grace Shumaker, Philip Ley, Steven Zachow and Scott Runnels and their staffs; the staff of Heritage House Retirement Center and Nursing Home; and the staff of St. Joseph Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider a contribution to the Ellisville Presbyterian Church, Wounded Warrior Project, or Palmer Home for Children.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.