Highly skilled brick mason; former director of sanitation

for City of Gaffney

T.S. Phillips, 82, of 612 Winchester Drive slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God.

Born in Cherokee County, he was the son of the late Talmadge S. Phillips Sr. and Era Horne Phillips and was married to Jenny Randolph Phillips for 60 years. Mr.

Phillips was a veteran

of the United

States Navy, having served his country aboard the USS Gainard and the USS Wisconsin. Mr. Phillips was a highly skilled brick mason for 30 years and then served the City of Gaffney as the Director of Sanitation for 15 years. He was a member of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church.

Mr. Phllips enjoyed good health until he suffered a stroke on Jan.25, 2008. "Poppy" was an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers that he shared with the community. He will be greatly missed but not grieved because he led a long, joyous life before his Lord took him home.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by a daughter, Vicki Irvin and husband, Rob, of Gaffney; a granddaughter, Autumn Irvin Cole and her husband, Kyle, of Gaffney; and a great-grandson, Ryan Andrew Cole; a sister, Virginia Painter of Greenville; and a brother, Marvin Phillips of Sherman Oaks, Calif.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by three brothers, Leonard Phillips, "Shorty" Harold Phillips and Bryant Phillips; and a sister, Lounette Phillips.

The family will receive friends today from 1-2 p.m. at Blakely Funeral Home. Services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Alan Peeler. Interment will be in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Phillips' memory to Peachtree Centre, 1434 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

Family members are at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.

Arrangements by Blakely Funeral Home.