James Ransler Phillips

James was born on December 29, 1931 in Haywood County to the late Wesley and Lillie Grooms Phillips. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy and had worked as a foreman for the city of Lexington. For a year, he had worked as a contractor in Saudi Arabia, later working for A.M. Haire and the Thomasville Funeral Home. James was a member of Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church and especially enjoyed fishing and canoeing. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Vivadeen Stepp and Clara Bolen; and brother, Jack Phillips.

Surviving are his wife, Clara Hepler Phillips; daughters, Patti Halsey and her husband Mark of Thomasville, Terri Russo of Thomasville, and Sharon Craver of Greenville, SC; son, Bob Phillips and his wife Becky of High Point; stepchildren, Tonya Owens and her husband Tony and Chris Proctor and his wife Beverly, all of Thomasville; ten grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren. Also surviving are James’ sisters, Agatha Morrs of Canton and Barbara Stokes of Charlotte.

A celebration of James’ life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016 in the chapel of Thomasville Funeral Home, 18 Randolph Street, with Rev. Dr. E. Keith Carroll and Rev. Bynum Orr officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church, 223 Mt. Zion Church Road, Thomasville, NC 27360.

Online condolences may be made at www.ThomasvilleFH.com.