Philip Thomas List, Jr. passed away on April 14, 2018, at the age of 57, during his recovery from heart bypass surgery in Birmingham, AL. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kelly Mitchell List, and their four children – Nathan List (Katie Kirkpatrick), Rogersville, AL; William List (Kristen Hays), Auburn, AL; Rebecca List Bolton (Drew Bolton), Huntsville, AL; Caleb List. Philip and Kelly are also blessed with three grandchildren, Levi, Gwen, and Eden List.
Philip was preceded in death by his father, Philip Thomas List Sr. He leaves behind his mother, Gailya List, his sister Sharon List Wooten, his brother David List, and his youngest sister Elizabeth (Beth) List Newport.
Philip was born in Lancaster, SC on September 11, 1960. He lived there during his early childhood until the family left in 1962 to begin their ministry as missionaries in Durban, South Africa. Philip set a strong example as the oldest of his siblings, demonstrating a love for the Lord and a desire to serve people from an early age. Known for his gentle and kind nature, Philip received a call to ministry as a young boy. There are many stories to recount, but one of the family favorites is the time when Philip was a young man, he took his own lunch and walked down the road to give it to a man working in a field. He wanted to have the opportunity to not only share his lunch, but the good news of Jesus with him.
The family later moved to Zimbabwe where Philip graduated from Lord Malvern High School in 1977. He then traveled by himself at 18 years old to go to bible school in America. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministries from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA in 1981.
Philip first served as a youth pastor at Trinity Chapel in St. Augustine, FL. He then moved to Huntsville, AL in 1983 to serve as the youth pastor at Faith Chapel where he met and married his beautiful wife, Kelly, in 1985. They later moved to prepare to serve as missionaries. He earned a Master’s of Divinity from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA in 1992.
Philip was a 3rd generation pastor with the missionary calling of his father and grandfather to the African continent. The family served overseas with the IPHC World Missions Ministries for 8 years (1994 – 2002). It was in 2000 that Philip was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The family stayed in Africa until his MS condition required that they return to the states. Philip continued ministering to others until his unexpected death.
There will be a private visitation and burial for family only on Wednesday, April 18th at 12 PM at the Madison Chapel Funeral Home located at 8521 Lee Highway, Madison, AL 35758. If you wish to send flowers, please send them to the Madison Chapel Funeral Home.
There will be a Memorial Service for all to come and celebrate Philip’s life on Thursday, April 19th at 3 PM at the Rock Family Worship Center located at 1594 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Harvest, AL 35749.
Thank you to everyone that has been an encouragement and support to the family during this difficult time.
