Obituary of Robert Randolph Phillips

Robert Randolph Phillips passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013, at Westminster Canterbury, surrounded by family. Mr. Phillips was born in Campbell Country Virginia on February 12, 1916. He was the son of Robert Roy and Maude Trent Phillips. The family moved to Lynchburg and he was raised and educated in the public schools. Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mrs. Adelaide Murphy Phillips. He was also preceded in death by his son, Wayne M. Phillips of Myrtle Beach, SC, and his daughter, Carole P. Bizzack of Lexington, KY. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Neil Johnson of Dothan, AL; Martha Filson of Lynchburg and Zane Castle of Herndon, VA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. He began his life-long career with the U.S. Postal Service in Lynchburg as a postal clerk on the mail trains. He moved from Lynchburg to Roanoke, VA and then promoted to the U.S. Postal Headquarters, Space Requirements Division in Washington, DC in 1958. He retired in 1970. Mr. Phillips and his wife Adelaide returned to Lynchburg in 1977. Throughout his life, he was a devoted choir member and rejoined the congregation and choir of St. John's Episcopal Church. He filled his life with his family, the love of gardening, travel and music. After moving to Westminster Canterbury, he was proud to serve as Chair of the Employees Christmas Fund, participate in the men's pool team, ran the Saturday night Bingo games and led the Sing-Along activities. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Diuguid Wiggington Chapel. followed by a graveside service at 12:30 pm at Fort Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of his life to be held at Westminster Canterbury at a later date. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Westminster Canterbury that touched his life over the past 20 years. In particular, we are grateful to the incredible nursing staff of 5th floor Hearthside for the love and care shown to "Randy". The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint John's Episcopal Church or to the Westminster Canterbury Employee Education Fund. Condolences may be made to diuguidfuneralservice.com Diuguid Wiggington Chapel, 385-8900, is in charge of arrangements.