Emmette Earl Phillips, Sr., 65, of Tifton passed away Sunday, March 10, 2002, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2002, at Omega Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Moon officiating. Mr. Phillips was laid to rest at Omega Cemetery.
W. J. "Champ" Shamis, Don Marchant, Hillary Keith, Steve Keith, Malcom Kelley and Bobby Conway served as pallbearers.
Born April 2, 1936, in Walton County, Mr. Phillips was the son of the late Emmette E. Phillips and Floy Stephens Phillips. He was also preceded in death by one son, Christopher Duncan Phillips; one brother; and one sister. Before retiring, he was the co-owner of Discount Diamonds in Tifton; and he was a member of Omega Baptist Church. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife, Melinda Bruce Phillips of Tifton; one son, Emmette Earl "Buddy" Phillips, Jr. of Tifton; three daughters, Karen Harshfield and Kim Sandhoff, both of Waco, Texas and Cheryl Lynn Clark of Winter Haven, Florida; one brother, Sam Phillips of Valdosta; two sisters, Edna Keith of Omega and Grace Rochester of Saint Petersburg, Florida; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.