December 10, 1938 ~ February 8, 2025 (age 86)
Ray Mitchell Phillips, Jr was born in Lanett, AL on December 10th, 1938.He passed away February 8th, 2025, in Memphis, TN. He had a wonderful life growing up in Lanett, with many lifelong friends and classmates, surrounded by a loving family.
He was a member of Lanett First Baptist Church. Mitchell graduated with the “Class of 57” from Lanett High School. He had the great experience of playing football for Coach Mal Morgan and the added help of Lefty Fetner—two people he remembered and loved all his life.
Mitchell is preceded in death by his parents, Lois Allen Phillips and Ray M. Phillips, Sr. ,as well as his two brothers, Larry (Avie) and Harry Phillips, both of Valley. Our Granddaughter Anna Katherine Monsarrat, also preceded him, along with many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and beloved friends and classmates. He is survived by his wife Rose, daughter Jennifer (Mike) Monsarrat of Bartlett TN., and his grandchildren Abigail, Asher and Caleb. He is also survived by his sister Kay (George) Ingle and his precious and loving Aunt, Wyllowdean Hendrix, all from Dadeville, AL. There are also numerous nieces and nephews, all loved and cherished by “Uncle Mitchell”.
For 20 years, Mitchell and classmate Becki Smith coordinated and organized an annual multi-class Reunion for Lanett High classmates, in the Valley. Many pitched in to make each one a great success; “Food, fun and fellowship”. Many wonderful memories were made that will never be forgotten.
Mitchell lived in Atlanta for 61 years after his Army discharge. He served in Korea in peacetime, after the Korean War, in the Army Security Agency. There he met and made two lifelong friends, Edward Taylor of Mansfield, LA, and Jim McCubin (deceased), from Texas.
During his 61 years in Atlanta, he was employed as a Licensed Funeral Director at Hemperley in East Point, Carmichael/Hemperley, East Point/Peachtree City. He retired in 2024 from Mowell Funeral Home in Fayetteville/Peachtree City. He loved his work and never met a stranger.
Mitchell and Rose moved to Memphis in July, 2024, to be near their daughter and her family. A very timely move, leaving 6 months of time with her, Mike and the Grands. Services were handled by Memphis Funeral home and Memorial Gardens, with interment in Bartlett, near Jenn’s home.
A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. (EST) in the Chapel of Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley, Alabama,
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Please send any memorials or donations you would like to make to your favorite charity, in his memory.
Please visit Michell’s Memorial page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh to leave a kind word for the family, to share a fond memory, or to light a Remembrance Candle on Mitchell’s memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.
