The Shadow
Jerry Jackson
“Jay” Phillips, Jr.
Mr. Jerry Jackson “Jay” Phillips, Jr., age 70, of Covington, died Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Brian Center-Alleghany, Low Moor. He was the husband of Judith Wheeler Phillips.
Mr. Phillips was born July 23, 1954, in Covington, the son of Mildred Persinger Phillips Walker and the late Jerry Jackson Phillips, Sr. He was a graduate of Covington High School and received a full football scholarship for college. He went on to attend Fork Union Academy and Virginia Military Institute before earning his degree from Emory and Henry. He met his wife, Judy while at Emory and Henry.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Phillips is survived by his sister, Jan Phillips Armontrout and husband, Charlie and four nieces and nephews, Lisa Warren Brown and husband, Billy, Richard A. Warren, Jr. and wife, Christy and Loveda L. Warren, Beth Wappner and husband, Justin. Also, his many animals which he loved.
Jay loved music and played the drums for his mother’s majorette group, ‘Highlighters’. He spent lots of time with his grandparents, Buck, MawMaw, Pop and Girt and he always watched over his “sis” Jan even though they had a fight every other day.
In high school he picked up the name “Sheepdog” from his friends and he and his best friend, Jon Gilbert kept the town of Covington hopping.
He was very active in sports from little league and all through college. He played tackle at VMI when they won the Southern Conference title in 1974 and also was all state champion for wrestling at Covington High School.
Jay and his wife, Judy lived in Radford until they moved to Covington where he worked at Hercules and Westvaco as a supervisor until he retired.
A celebration of is life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 8, 2025, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Phillips memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
