Earl Phillips

"Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven, heaven and home,
When, when Jesus is my portion, My constant Friend is He;
Oh, his eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watched, watches over me."

Mr. Earl Phillips of Hertford, NC entered into eternal rest on Friday January 19,2018.

Earl Melvin Phillips was one of twelve siblings born to Jesse Phillips and Mary Price on February 27, 1935 in Hurdletown, North Carolina.

During Earl’s education he attended Hurdletown middle school, in Hurdletown, NC.  He was a graduate of Perquimans County Union School in 1955.  He was employed at Kleartone Manufacturing in New York for more than 12 years.  He drove trucks for EJ Korvette, in Carle Place, NY and then returned to Hertford, NC in 1972 where he worked on the farm for many years.  In 1981 he worked as a supervisor of a landscape department for 17 years until he retired from the State of North Carolina in 1997 at the age of 62. 

Earl joined St. Paul AME Zion at a very young age.  He became the chairman of the Steward board for many years and took pride in serving others as a long standing member.  Earl loved life and embraced it to the fullest. He was a sports lover and a dynamic football player.  His hobbies included watching sportsand fishing.  As a devoted husband, loving father, caring family man, loyal friend, and compassionate human being, Earl so often spoke his famous line, “I aint got nothing but love for you baby”but more importantly, that love was expressed.

Earl was preceded in death by 2 daughters: Vanessa Phillips and Galbadaly Phillips.

Siblings included: Mary Beatrice Phillips, John H. Phillips, Eula May Phillips, Jessie Jones, Curtis Phillips, William Phillips, Hersey L. Phillips, Evora Tookes, Carl Phillips.

Earl Phillips is survived by and leaves to rejoice in being loved by him, Annie Cobbs-Phillips his beloved wife, three sons: Howard Ervin (Tammy), Valerie Jackson (Linwood), Earl M. Cobbs (Brenda), and Stanley J. Cobbs.  Sixteen Grandchildren, fifteen Great-Grandchildren and three Great-great grandchildren.His sister-in-laws, Ramona Phillips, Lugenia Sistrunk and Brother-in-laws, James Cobbs and Herbert Cobbs (Josephine).  He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives an

Celebration of Life will take place at St. Paul A.M.E Zion Church Hertford,NC on Saturday January 27,2018 at 12 noon. Viewing will take place at the church on Friday from 5-7pm.

Mr. Phillip's remains rest in the care and comfort of Hortons Funeral Home and Cremations Hertford,NC.

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