Mr. Paul Phillips

It is with great sadness to share that Mr. Paul Phillips, age 74, of Rome, GA (from Jackson & Lucedale, MS), passed away the night of Thursday, August 17, 2023, at home in his bed, held lovingly by his wife and daughter.

Mr. Phillips was born in Meridian, MS, on November 29, 1948, son of the late Gladys Rouse and Monie Phillips. He was also preceded in death by 2 siblings, Monie Jr. Phillips and Jim Phillips, as well as his son, Stephen Paul Phillips.

Mr. Phillips attended George County High School in Lucedale, MS, Class of 1966. He played tuba in the high school marching band, where he met the love of his life, Janet Mason (later to become Janet Phillips on August 30, 1969). Mr. Phillips earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and his master’s degree at the University of Central Michigan. For nearly 43 years, he served the Department of Defense in his very-respected, high level position at Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) as a top notch Regional Auditing Director and CPA.

Mr. Phillips was a member at First Baptist Church in Centre, AL.

Mr. Phillips carried a heart larger than life. He was a gentle soul and loved animals, especially dogs. He had a tasteful sense of humor and an appetite for the best foods ever. He loved living in the house he and his wife designed on Lake Weiss in Centre, AL. He loved taking his family on road trips and vacations around the continental US to share with them his sense of wonder and adventure, and gratitude for the wilderness and for our country. He loved taking his family on camping trips at Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee and to the beaches in Florida, but not as much as he loved spending time with them in Hawaii.

He was and always will be a very loved and respected man in the eyes of his family, his friends, his work family at DCAA, his church fellows, and the residents and staff at Renaissance Marquis. He was a very dedicated man to his family, friends, and career yet he was never too busy to be present for and supportive of his loved ones.

Survivors include his wife, Janet Phillips of Rome, GA (from Lucedale, MS), his daughter Sarah Phillips of Petaluma, CA and his sister-in-law the honorable Peggy Phillips of Crawford, MS, as well as 4 nephews: Monie IV Phillips (and his wife Candace Phillips), Jason Phillips, Marty Phillips (and his wife Mary Phillips), Jim Phillips, as well as 2 nieces, Phyllis Phillips Caldwell and Peg Mordecai, and a number of incredible cousins and great nieces and great nephews.

In accordance with his wishes, Mr. Phillips was cremated and the family will receive friends on Saturday, November 11th at the church of he and his wife’s membership in Centre, AL for a Celebration and Honoring of Life over his 74 years here with us. He will forever be missed and held closely in the hearts of those he left behind but we all know that heaven received a very special angel the night of August 17th.