James Charles Phillips

Mr. James Charles Phillips, 76, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Crenshaw Community Hospital on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022. Funeral services for Mr. Phillips will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 27th, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Pastor Blake Johnson and Brother Brandon Johnson officiating. He will then be laid to rest beside his beloved wife in Mills Chapel Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, December 26th, from 5 - 7 PM.

Mr. Phillips proudly served his country with the United States Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1968 with the final rank of sergeant. He then spent most of his working career as a servant of God, helping to establish several churches and often served as a pastor for them for several years each. He took his duties and responsibilities as a follower of Christ extremely seriously. He was always looking for an opportunity to minister to others, whether they were family and friends or perfect strangers. He was the model of self-sacrifice and generosity, often carrying extra cash with him so he would be prepared should he come across someone who needed it more than he did. He also fervently believed in the power of prayer and possessed the humility to be willing to bow his head and pray with anyone who needed it, no matter where they were at the time. He was the epitome of who a true representative of Christ on Earth should be and is leaving behind such a remarkable legacy for others to follow.

Mr. Phillips felt himself richly blessed to have met and married the love of his life, Barbara Boswell, and spent many decades together in wedded bliss. Together they happily raised a house full of girls, and later welcomed numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their family grew. He was a doting grandfather to every single one of them. He showed each of them what true, unconditional love both looked and felt like. They never once doubted where they stood with him, and they loved him back with every fiber of their being. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to brighten people's day with laughter. Mr. Phillips had a true appreciation of the beauty of God's creation. He loved any time he could spend outdoors whether it was a favorite fishing pond or the majesty of the mountains. He had a fondness for yard sales & flea markets, and thoroughly enjoyed watching both Crimson Tide Football and wrestling. And it didn't get much better than fried okra from the Chicken Shack or Miss Cile's chitlins in his book! Above all, he will be remembered for the remarkable family man he was and, though he will be sorely missed, his loved ones will find comfort in knowing he has now been reunited with his beloved Barbara in Heaven.

Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Boswell Phillips; parents, Johnnie Walter & Nancy Odom Phillips; and siblings, Myrtle Green, Joan Seekers, Murdis Burgans, Gladys Arnold, and Dempsey Phillips. He is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Melonie & Chuck Latshaw, Rhonda & Danny Johnson, and Dawn & Brian Rayborn; grandchildren, Blake (Holly) Johnson, Shantea Latshaw, Brandon (Lindsey) Johnson, Chaz (Brittany) Latshaw, and Ashlynn (Paul) Baker; great-grandchildren, Faith, Isabella, Olivia, Weston, Tatum, Landon, Abigail, Aubrey, and Aaron; brother, Denford (Ginger) Phillips; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Active pallbearers will be Chaz Latshaw, Blake Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Bo Lusco, Paul Baker, and Jon Wallace.