The Shadow
Roy Mayo Phillips, age 95, of 2331 S. Munford Avenue, died December 26, 2009, at his residence. He was the husband of the late Virginia Reynolds Phillips.
Mr. Phillips was born July 4, 1914 in Amherst County, the son of the late Henry Clay Phillips and Sarah Humphreys Phillips. Mr. Phillips was owner /operator of Phillips Refrigeration, founded in 1946. He was a member of Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Roy was a veteran, serving his country during WWII in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne and the 504th Parachute Infantry in the European Theatre of Operations. He received two awards for bravery including a silver star; earning his first citation for bravery, September 17, 1943 near Albinella, Italy and his second citation was received in March, 1944 for gallantry in action near Anzio, Italy. Mr. Phillips completed 96 jumps in combat in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Along with jumping from airplanes into heavy combat action, he also spent 365 days behind enemy lines fighting to free Western Europe. One of his joys in life was flying and he owned his own plane for many years. Mr. Phillips was a member of the Isaak Walton League, the Covington Moose Lodge #610, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge #23 and the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Phillips was a loved and respected resident of Edgemont for sixty-five years. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a doting grandfather and great grandfather. He was known to be a fair and honest businessman and a kind and caring employer. He showed concern and kindness to the young and elderly on his street, and he was generous with friends and anyone in need.
Mr. Phillips is survived by a son, William C. “Bill” Phillips and wife, Virgie of Covington; two daughters, Patty Phillips Carter and husband, Richard of Lancaster, SC and Jeanne Phillips Craft and husband, Jack of Raleigh, NC; seven grandchildren, Hope Phillips Nicely, Megan R. Phillips, Jennifer Carter Duffie, Courtney Carter Zammiello, Richie Carter, II, Rachel S. Craft, Sessaly N. Craft; four great grandchildren, Carter L. Duffie, McCain Duffie, Grayson Zammiello, Nolan Nicely, III; two step granddaughters, Susan Looney and Christin McDuffie; one sister, Edna Phillips Lucado; numerous loving nieces and nephews; a long time employee and neighbor, Billie Sue Markham; a special caregiver and neighbor, Pat Tacy; a special caregiver, Billie Jean Carter.
In addition to his parents, Henry Clay Phillips and Sarah Humphreys Phillips, and his wife, Virginia Reynolds Phillips, Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by siblings, William Phillips, Charles Phillips, Hubert Phillips, Carl Phillips, Boyd Phillips, Elmo Phillips, Aubrey Phillips, Carrie Taylor and an infant sister.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P. M. Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. William M. Harris, Jr. officiating. Entombment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Graveside rites by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Pallbearers will be Robert Campbell, Paul Graham, Richie Carter, Nolan Nicely, Lee Duffy, Chris Zammiello, Larry Cluck, and John Williams.
Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Horn, M.G. O’Farrell, Odel Brookman and Red Knick.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 P. M. at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mountain Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.
Those wishing to send condolences online, please visit www. lovingfuneralhome1913.com
