Gurvis "Cotton" Phillips 1932-2016

Gurvis Cullen "Cotton" Phillips, 83, died Monday, February 22, 2016. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with burial following in Jessamine Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. 

Mr. Phillips was born on October 5, 1932 in Lee County, MS, the son of the late, Curtis and Murtie Phillips. A veteran he served his country in The US Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS DeHaven DD-727. He was a Gunners Mate Second Class. In 1953, he met and married, the former Kathryn Joan Shelton. He returned to the Navy shortly after marriage and was honorably discharged in 1954.

He began working for the Federal Highway Department constructing the Natchez Trace Parkway around the new completed Ross Barnett Reservoir. Mr. Phillips, in order to be closer to his family, retired from the Federal Highway Department, and accepted a position as foreman with Jackson Wrecking Company. After 5 years, Mr. Phillips returned to the Federal Highway Department. After completely retiring from the federal government, he began working at Bath and Kitchen Services on Madison County, where he remained for 10 years, ultimately retiring at age 70. 

A man of faith, Mr. Phillips was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Ridgeland, joining in 1962. At FBC, he taught Sunday school and shared his joy for singing with the Adult Choir and served as a Deacon. In 1991, Mr. Phillips joined Ridgecrest Baptist Church, serving also as Deacon, taught Sunday school and sang in the Sr. Adult Choir. Mr. Phillips loved going to church and teaching Sunday school. 

Wherever his travels took him in his career, he was always in church and in Sunday school on Sunday and made many friends around the country as a result of sharing his faith. 

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Elaine Phillips Hines; and sister, Shirley G. Herring. 

Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan of Madison; daughter, Conne Lynn Phillips of Madison; grandchildren, Rachel Tharpe (Chris) of Madison; Casey Rinewalt (Todd) of Madison; great grandchildren, Cole and Reese Tharpe and Hayden Rinewalt and niece, Angie Kitchens of Pontotoc, MS.