BERNICE A. PHILLIPS
April 14, 1928-Nov. 15, 2016
Bernice A. Phillips, 88, peacefully passed away Tuesday, Nov. 15, at his home surrounded by his family.
A service celebrating Bernice's life will be held Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church, with the Rev. Sherman Dilly and the Rev. Bill Rose officiating.
The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall from 12:30 to 2 and at other times, at the home of John and Susan Peacock, 207 Friendswood Drive, Goldsboro.
Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
Bernice was born in Johnston County April 14, 1928, one of nine children, to the late Alphonso Phillips and Cora Pilkington Phillips.
He graduated from Rosewood High School.
April 6, 1951, he married his one true love, Louise Berry, and they had celebrated 65 years of marriage together.
Bernice proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, stationed in Panmunjom within the demilitarized zone.
After being introduced to the dairy business just after graduating high school, he discovered his first and favorite occupation working at Wayne Dairy, later known as Coble Dairy, where he retired with more than 40 years of devoted service as the plant maintenance engineer.
Bernice was a devout and dedicated Christian, and lived every day serving the Lord, and exemplified a true Christian attitude. He was an active member of Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church.
He was a longtime member of Neuse Lodge No. 6 Odd Fellows Fraternity and Home Rebekah Lodge No. 106.
Bernice was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
In addition to his wife, Bernice is survived by his daughter, Susan Phillips Peacock and husband, John, and their sons, Jonathan Phillip, Benjamin David and Aedan Michael.
His grandsons were the apple of his eye, and he thoroughly enjoyed being their Poppy.
He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Marie Phillips, Lu Little and husband, Bill, Julia Crumpler, Margaret Radford and husband, Maurice, and Louvene Berry, and numerous nieces and nephews who fondly referred to him as Uncle Bunny Rabbit.
Bernice was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bernie Wayne Phillips; and his siblings, Mildred Ingram, Lebert Phillips, Myrtle Grady, Beulah "Skip" Spears, Janice Twiggs, Edward Phillips, Needham Gary Phillips and Glenn Phillips.
The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to his caregivers, Randel Garrison and the staff at Community Home Care and Hospice, for the loving care and support provided during his illness.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church, 1080 Gurley Dairy Road, Pikeville, N.C., 27863.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 16, 2016 9:57 AM