Ernest Dwaine Phillips

Ernest Dewaine Phillips, 91, of Albany, GA, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at the Wynfield Park Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home. Dr. William E. (Butch) Knight, Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester, GA.

A native of Baker County, GA, Mr. Phillips graduated from Baker County High School in 1939 and was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Navy from 1941-1945 where he was an Aviation Radio Operator. He was stationed at The US Naval Air Station in Panama City and the US Naval Aviation Training Base in Lake City, FL.

After his military service, Mr. Phillips moved to Albany, GA and attended Albany Vocational School. He was employed with Gulf Life Insurance Company in 1947 and was a life insurance agent and sales manager until his retirement in 1986. After his retirement he was employed part time as a sales clerk with Reed Hardware until 2003.

Mr. Phillips joined the First Baptist Church of Albany in 1948 and had served as a deacon since 1976. He also served as the General Secretary for the Sunday School Department for more than forty years. Mr. Phillips was a past member of both the Albany and the National Association of Life Underwriters for thirty five years and was chosen as Gulf Life's Man of The Year in 1982.

Survivors include his wife, Grace Bell Phillips of Albany, GA, a son and his wife, Darrell D. and Patty of Tallahassee, FL, his grandchildren, Kristy L. Phillips of Tampa, FL and Kati N. Phillips of Boston, MA, his brothers, Raymond Phillips of Plains, GA and S. Brinson Phillips and his wife, Gail of Terrell County, GA.

The family will receive friends Saturday one hour before the funeral at Mathews Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the First Baptist Church of Albany, 145 Oakland Parkway, Leesburg, GA 31763, Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31707 or American Diabetes Association, 225 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA30303.