Funeral Services for Toby Elgene Phillips Sr. of Jayess are 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Catchings Funeral Home in Summit with burial in Enon Cemetery. Dr. David Millican will officiate and Mr. Hubert Greer will bless with song. Catchings Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Tuesday, July 15, 2014, from 11 a.m. until time of service at Catchings Funeral Home.

Mr. Phillips, 78, died July 12, 2014, on a peaceful late afternoon with all his family at his side which he loved so dearly. He was born on Feb. 15, 1936, in Walthall County to Mr. Jesse and Mrs. Luvestia Dunaway Phillips.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, James Albert Phillips; two sisters, Ina Mae McKenzie and Golda Phillips; a nephew, Randy Phillips; and a sister-in-law, Nell Phillips.

Survivors are his beautiful bride of 55 years never once leaving his side, Alma Fay Phillips, the true meaning of the wedding vow “until death do you part”; two sons and their spouses, Toby Elgene Phillips Jr. and Connie T. Phillips and Terry Dean Phillips and Mandy Phillips; and one daughter, Tracy Diana Phillips; grandchildren include Lacey and Lane Moore; Hunter Phillips; Keri Murray; Magen and Ryan Vanderslice; Jesse Phillips; Luke Phillips; and Alexis Phillips; and great-grandchildren Jenny Parker, Riley Cooper, Tucker and Mady Klaiyre. He is also survived by two half-brothers, Reggie and J.P. Phillips, and many other family members that he loved.

After graduating from Enon High School in 1954, Mr. Phillips attended Southwest Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He then heard the call from his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After serving four years, he came home and soon married the love of his life. After working at Jim Walter Homes and Eisworth Motors, Mr. Phillips became owner/operator of his own logging business.

Mr. Phillips was a faithful member of Enon Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and church treasurer. Each leadership role that he occupied with the church, he regarded as an honor and privilege from the Lord. Although he took all of his responsibilities very seriously it was more about “availability” as he always made himself available to assist God in His work. Mr. Phillips would begin preparing his Sunday School lesson on Monday to be taught the following Sunday. He lived at the foot of the Cross and his worn Bible is evidence that he delved into God’s word searching for and finding truth that he could share with others. He also served on many other committees within the church as well as the Tri-County Association. There was no doubt that he loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him in any capacity to which he felt called and as mentioned always making himself “available”. One committee that he was passionate about was the Enon Cemetery Committee. He always believed that it was a true ministry to be able to comfort people in their time of greatest despair while helping the family choose a burial site. His love for Christ was unquestionable to anyone who met him.

Mr. Phillips was not a wealthy man but he was rich because of the assets he treasured – assets that included his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless scores of friends. To see them happy, made him happy. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren on day trips to the USS Alabama and St. Francisville to ride the ferry. His greatest gifts to his family were never material possessions, but rather time spent together in love. He was proud of all of his family and always wanted each and every one of them at his home. From chasing them around the house to playing hide and seek, he would always spend time with them to show that he cared for them and that he enjoyed their company as much as they enjoyed his. Mr. Phillips’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will forever live with the sweetest memories of how he made each one of them feel loved.

Pallbearers include Hunter Phillips, Jesse Phillips, Luke Phillips, Lane Moore, Keagan Smith and Scott Phillips. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Methvin, Chris Martin, Kelvin Rayborn, Travis Marbury, Grady Alexander, Jr., Jerry Yarborough, Jewel Dunaway and Brandon Cutrer.

The family would like to thank Bridget Jordan and all of the staff at Southern Care Hospice for the genuine compassion and understanding shown by them during the last year as they are considered proof that God really does send Angels.

The few months prior to his passing, Mr. Phillips on numerous occasions, told family members “Well I’m ready to go home, I’ve spent enough time here.” The family considered this to be a state of confusion due to health issues, however on the late afternoon of Saturday, July 12, 2014, the family realized that he wasn’t confused at all, he knew he had followed the road map provided “his worn Bible” and did finally go “Home” to be with the Lord.

If he were still here on earth today he would say to you, “Trust and believe, give your heart to God, He is the only way”. Although deeply saddened Mr. Phillips’s family has already firmly stated “When we see you again we will tell you how much we missed you.” This level comfort can only be provided by God.

A few words Mr. Phillips would likely share on this day:

• Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

• Bumblebees and yellow jackets are considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. “Mr. Phillips owned a John Deere tractor and drove it a lot in the woods.”

• “Please read this line twice.” Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled. “This will obviously carry more weight in the final days; probably best to listen ‘less’ with your ears and more with your heart.”

• You cannot unsay a cruel word.

• Every path has a few puddles.

• The best sermons are lived, not preached.

• Remember that silence along with your present “availability” is sometimes the best answer.

• Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.

• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

• The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every morning.

• Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot that comes from bad judgment.

• God is most interested in our “availability’ not our “ability”. Make yourself available and God will do the rest.

• ROMANS 3:23-For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

• ROMANS 10:9-Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

• JOHN 3:3-Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

• JOHN 3:16-“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.