Johnny Harris Phillips
November 16, 1939 ~ April 22, 2014
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Johnny Harris Phillips, age 74, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. He was born in Hertford, North Carolina on November 16, 1939 to the late Ennis T. Phillips and Lillian Harris Phillips.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, he leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Sylvia Watson Phillips; daughter, Jan Rowe and husband Mike of Washington, NC; sons, Jon Phillips and wife Mary of Midlothian, VA, Jef Phillips, and wife Lindsay of New Bern, NC; brother; E. T. "Phil" Phillips, Jr. and wife JoAnne of Hilton Head, SC; grandchildren, Will Rowe, Leigh Rowe, Harris Phillips, Jacob Phillips, Price Phillips and Joshua Phillips. He will also be missed by his beloved lab "Coco".
A diligent servant of the Lord, he was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount. For nearly four decades, he served as a coach, teacher and administrator with the North Carolina Public Schools, and was a strong believer in the impactful role that both education and athletics can play in the lives of young people. A lifelong learner, he was a graduate and supporter of East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Among his proudest accomplishments was having been selected to lead Northside High School in Beaufort County during its formative years.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Douglas Slater, Dr. Donald Rabil, Dr. Sudhir Prasada, as well as the team at Duke University Medical Center, for the excellent care that they provided over the last several years.
A service of resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church - Rocky Mount, Monday, April 28, at 2 p.m. followed by a visitation and reception in the church fellowship hall. A private interment will be held for the family. Family will also receive visitors at the home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Music Department, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. You may share your memories and condolences by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
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Monday 4/28, 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Service
Location Not Available
Monday 4/28, 2:00 pm
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Dear Phillips family, it is with gratitude for having known Coach Phillips that I remember him and write this condolence. Though I was only a boy, I knew Coach Phillips was special and good. It just came out of him, and I knew it. God blessed you with such a man, and in you he lives still. Douglas Pirkey Little Chute, WI
Dear Sylvia and family, Gene and I have lost a loving and faithful friend. It is not for us to question why, but rejoice at Johnny’s going home. He left a beautiful legacy in his loving and giving family. We are so happy to have met Johnny and Sylvia and are able to call them our friends. Faithfully, Liz Smallwood
Lit a candle in memory of Johnny Harris Phillips
Lit a candle in memory of Johnny Harris Phillips
Sylvia and family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Johnny was a fine educator and friend. I’ve known him all of my professional life – 45 years, from when I started at Southern Nash High. He has touched countless lives over the years. None more than mine. I’m a better person for having known and worked with him. Charles and Chris Boyette
Sylvia, so sorry to hear about Dr. Phillips. My heart goes out to you, the children and all family members. I remember talking to you both at John C. Tayloe School in December. Bing thought the world of Dr. Phillips and admired him very much. Please know that I’m keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Brenda Mitchell.
We are truly heartbroken for you and your family. He was a good coworker,we were a good team.We will miss our friend.
John and Sonya Jones We are heartbroken for you and your family. He was a good friend and excellent coworker.Our void is heavens blessing.
Dear Sylvia & Family, Please accept my sympathy in the loss of Johnny. My favorite memory is of Sylvia always cleaning her classroom every day ! Of course I did not. Johnny was coming to observe my classroom–I had worked all week hiding all my JUNK-even the back seat & trunk of my car was full–trying to clean. We got through the observation & he sat down in my classroom with me–took my hand & said–the lesson was fine but do you think you could of cleaned up a little bit I have laughed about that for years & still do. I had not fooled him at all. With sympathy, Mae Lurvey
Sympathy to all & hope that you will find peace, & comfort from God for your grief, in the loss of your loved one. The Bible tells us (1 Cor. 13,4) Death will be brought to nothing, the last enemy of mankind. What a gift, that has been given, to have the hope of seeing our loved ones again.
In memory of Johnny Harris Phillips, Tommy Felton lit a candle