Obituary: James Ronald Phillips

Born: July 15, 1947

Died: July 2, 2023

James Ronald Phillips, 75, of Roxanna, Alabama went to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 2, 2023. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Mildred Geraldine (Crow) Phillips and Wilbur Clifton Phillips and by his brothers Donald Ray Phillips and Clifton Earl Phillips (Margaret).

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Mayfield Phillips, his other brother, Sidney Wayne Phillips (Lorie Anne) and sisters Bonnie Sue Colley (Angie) and Jerry Ann Davis (Jim).

James was a family man and loved all of his family brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren, aunts and uncles more than anything else. He is survived by his three children, Adam Wade Phillips, Brian Keith Todd (Linda) and Ann Marie Rowlett (Eric). He had seven grandchildren: Jessica Elaine Hadaway (AJ), Matthew Rowlett (Elaina), Hannah Rowlett Glass (Jackson), Amanda Nicole Todd, Brittany Lynn Todd, Landon Ray, and Christopher Dillon Phillips.

After graduating high school, James joined the armed forces as a communications engineer in the Army. He spent his time stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged after three years. After serving his time in the service, he went to work at AMPEX in Opelika, Alabama as a coater. He worked there for 31 and a half years before retiring. After retirement, James went to work for Adam's Beverages in Opelika as a loader in the warehouse and then as a security guard at MANDO.

In January of 1977, James met and married the love of his life, Mary Mayfield Phillips. They remained married until his passing, a total of 46 years. James loved to eat Mary's cooking and listening to his favorite singer Waylon Jennings. They enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. And on Sunday mornings, he sat with Mary drinking coffee and listening to John Hagee preach the Gospel on TV.

In addition to spending time with his family, he was a wonderful gardener and enjoyed sharing his bounty with friends and family. He also enjoyed fishing, watching drag racing, NASCAR, the Atlanta Braves and playing cards. He also loved to pass down his knowledge of gardening and all things mechanical to his children and grandchildren.

He was a very special man and will be dearly missed by so many. A Celebration of James' Life will be held at Beulah Baptist Church located at 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley, AL on Tuesday July 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Brian Todd will be officiating. Food will be available at Mary and James' home after the service at 219 2nd Avenue SW, Lafayette, AL.

Special thanks to all of the nurses and caretakers of Enhabit Home Health & Hospice. Your help and caring is appreciated more than you can know.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home

Opelika, Al