Olin Phillips

Olin Ray Phillips, 74, of 519 Overbrook Drive, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

Born in Gaffney, he was the husband of Barbara Porter Phillips and son of the late Cline G. Phillips and Annie Mae Fowler Phillips. He was a graduate of Gaffney High School and Cecil's Business College.

Rep. Phillips had served continuously as District 30 representative in the South Carolina House of Representatives since his election to the seat in 1978 and had been chairman of the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation since July 2000. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served as vicechairman of the Aeronautics Commission, chairman of the Textiles Study Committee, chairman of the Education and Public Works Committee (1991-1994), chairman of the Joint Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards of Trustees of Colleges and Universities, chairman of the Pyrotechnic Safety Board (1985-1991), second vice chairman of Education and Public Works (1985-1990) and chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee. He was named chairman of the Education Study Committee in 1993 and was a member of the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission from 1991-1992.

Rep. Phillips was a member of the House Operations and Management Committee from 1983- 1984; member of the Transfer of Funds Committee for the Department of Highways and Public Transportation; and served on the Ad Hoc Commission to Study Feasibility of Reorganizing the Department of Highways and Public Transportation from 1990 until 1991. He had also served since 1991 as an Ex-Officio Director of the South Carolina Transportation Policy and Research Council; was vice chairman of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Public Transportation in 1991; and worked in 1993 with the Strategic Highway Plan for Improved Mobility and Safety (SHIMS) and the Task Force for "C" Funds.

Rep. Phillips was a past chairman of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, former chairman of the Cherokee County Registration Board, former Supervisor of Elections for Cherokee County School District Number One, and past president of the Elm Street PTA. A Mason, he was a member of East Gaffney Baptist Church, Woodmen of the World, Gaffney Lions Club and Blacksburg Rotary Club. He served on the Limestone College Advisory Board from 1982 to 1984 and on the Council on Aging for Cherokee and Union counties.

A member of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees from 1991 until 1992, Rep. Phillips received an Honorary Doctorate from College of Charleston in 1992 and was inducted into the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in February, 2000.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Patrick Phillips and wife, Debra, of Gaffney; two daughters, Penelope Laughlin and husband, Lynn, and Patrina Spencer and husband, Tim, both of Gaffney; three sisters, Elizabeth Whitlock of Spartanburg, Mary Ellen Wallace of Gaffney and Dorothy Martin of Spartanburg; five grandchildren, Grayson Laughlin, Tia Spencer, Timia Spencer, Patrick Phillips and Madison Phillips; a special nephew, David Phillips; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Curtis Phillips, Wallace Phillips and Lewis Phillips; a sister, Patricia Ligon; and a granddaughter, Lyndly Laughlin.

Services will be held Monday, Dec. 29, at 3 p.m. at East Gaffney Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Jackson, Mr. Dennis Fowler and Chaplain Charles Seastrunk officiating. Interment will be in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

All members of the South Carolina General Assembly and former members of the General Assembly and all state and local elected officials are invited to be honorary pallbearers.

Visitation was held Sunday, Dec. 28, from 6-8 p.m. at Blakely Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Parson's Pantry, P.O. 777, Gaffney, SC, 29342; or Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, SC, 29342.

The family is at the home.

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