James Warner Phillips, minister of Spruce Pine Church of Christ and retired Phillips High School teacher and coach, passed from this life on June 22, 2015. He was the son of Horace and L.G. Phillips, of Bear Creek, Alabama.
Visitation will be today from 6-9 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home in Haleyville where the service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. Vance Hutton, David Barker, Gilbert Behel, and Wayne Phillips will officiate the service. Interment will be at Bear Creek Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, Robin (Staci), Joel, Benjamin (Tiffany), Bart, and Terrell (Malynna); grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, Halle Grace, Noah, Anna, Kayleigh, Paxton, Paisley, and soon-to-be baby girl, Phillips; brothers, Stewart and Wayne and families; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
James was a 1960 graduate from Phillips High School. He received his B.S. degree from Florence State in 1964 where he later received his M.A. in 1967. Later, James completed his Ed. S. at the University of North Alabama and completed further study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He preached the Gospel of Christ at Waterloo, Mtn. Home, Union, and Spruce Pine Church of Christ for a combined total of 49 years. A humble servant, he ministered to the needs of others in hospitals, nursing homes, and shut-ins. He taught his sons by word and example to do the will of the Lord.
A member of the AEA and NEA, he served in various capacities related to teaching: Southern Association Evaluation Committees, TEA president, PTO president, AEA delegate, State Track Committee, and served as track coach or assistant at Phillips High School for the past 25 years (where he received many coaching honors and was proud of the medals won by his team).
A nature lover, he hunted and fished with his dad and brothers during their teenage years. He purchased his first horse at age fifteen. Throughout his lifetime, the number of horses grew from few to many. At various times he raised horses, cattle, hogs, ducks, chickens, and geese. He enjoyed trading horses, saddles, tractors, and trucks. Many friends were made through his trading. In his later years, providing ponies for his grandchildren to ride became one of his passions.
He enjoyed attending the state horse show to watch Halle Grace and Noah. He shared his love of running, football, basketball, and softball by watching Zach, Nick, and Halle Grace participate in races and games.
James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a genuine friend. He loved the Lord, his family, his church, his students, and his many friends. As a family, we are thankful to God for giving us such a wonderful husband, daddy, granddaddy, leader, and friend. The world is a better place because of James. He will be greatly missed.
Pallbearers will be John, Glenn, Steven, Bryan, and Jerry Phillips, Steve, and Troy, Ezell, and Brandon McDuffa. Honorary pallbearers will be all of his friends, gospel preachers, and the men and boys of Spruce Pine Church of Christ.
You may leave online condolences at pinkardfh.com.
