Henry Arnold Phillips, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, May 2, 2021. He left this world content that he had lived a good and full life, and no one who knew him could argue otherwise.
He was born on May 17, 1937 and raised in Digby, Georgia as the baby of a sharecropping family. He was a man who worked hard from an early age on the family farm, at Buck Lee’s grist mill to Hollberg’s Furniture and then to driving a truck. He served in the Army on an Air Force Base in Alaska as his company’s typist because he had learned typing at Griffin High School (Class of 1956). While in Alaska, the Griffin Daily News was sent to him and he kept up with a high school classmate who would become his wife of 52 years.
He was a family man and was happiest at home taking care of his family and others. He loved playing games with his boys and their friends, including cards, pool, and Scrabble. He often claimed to not know when he was playing a 6 on a 9 in UNO, but he always knew where the rook was when he was dealing in games of Rook He was his son’s “comic bagging machine” every week until just before his death. He was a good cook with breakfast as his specialty. He loved to sit in his recliner, read, watch sports, and share peppermints and time with his granddaughter.
Henry is preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Patricia (Meeks) Phillips; Son David Phillips; Brothers Raymond and Edward; Sisters Earline Phillips Cox and Myrtle Phillips Chambers.
He is survived by his son, Bill Phillips (Terri Phillips); Grandson Erik Pasto; Granddaughter Alison Grace Phillips; Daughter In Law Michelle Phillips Mayfield (Wayne Mayfield); Sister In Law Nancy Meeks Bythewood; Friend Mary Webb; Brother Doug Phillips; Sister Margaret Phillips Spencer; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Henry requested a cremation with a celebration of his life. The family will have a private mourning period with a celebration on May 16, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at their home at 66 Green Acres Rd., Griffin. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that everyone do something nice for someone else.
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