02/17/1982 – 09/18/2026
Mr. McKenzie V. Phillips, a resident of Atlanta, GA and former resident of West Point, GA, died Friday, September 18, 2026 at Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta, GA.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 PM (EST) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Davis Memorial Mortuary Chapel, 305 W. F. Burns Drive, Valley, AL with Brother Dana Thomas officiating. Services will be directed by Davis Memorial Mortuary.
Public Viewing is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Davis Memorial Mortuary Chapel.
McKenzie Valdez Phillips, known as “Ken” to his family and “Kenzie” or Mac” to his friends, was born February 17, 1982, in West Point, Georgia, to the late LaMerles Gilliam and James Phillips.
Ken grew up surrounded by extended family, including two cousins who were like a brother and sister to him, and an aunt and uncle who were like another set of parents. From the very beginning, his life was filled with an abundance of love. Even at the local Kingdom Hall, Ken immediately became everybody’s baby. Ken was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1994. He graduated from Troup County Comprehensive High School in 2000 and later attended the Art Institute of Atlanta.
Ken was a man of many talents and interests. He had a great love for dogs, especially his late beloved Sosa. He was all about fishing and would call his cousin out of the blue asking when they could go again. His first job was at Darden Brothers Shoe Store in West Point, Georgia, where his easy way with people first stood out. He later worked in cabinet making, inheriting that skill and love from his father, and he had a deep love for art, especially drawing. Music was another important part of his life, a love he also inherited from his father. From the time he was a little boy, Ken wanted a guitar, and when he found the right one, he never wanted to let it go. Known professionally as “DJ MVP,” Ken was a talented DJ who loved sharing music with others. During his years as a DJ, he traveled with various Atlanta-area talent, including trips outside the country.
Ken’s smile could light up a room. Wherever he went, people were drawn to him. Even nurses and other medical professionals who cared for him over the years came to love him. They were often amazed by his optimism and his ability to look toward brighter days, no matter what he was going through. Certain medical professionals teasingly referred to him as “stubbornly optimistic.”
Ken loved to laugh and could make others laugh as well. Family and friends were very important to him. Ken was affectionate and would sometimes call simply to sing Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” He was a mama’s boy, was crazy about his grandmother, “Neat,” and said his “A.T.” could make anything better. He would call Shannon from the hospital simply to ask, “You know you’re my favorite cousin, right?” or just to make her laugh, brightening her day even on his most difficult ones. Believing she could persuade anyone, he wouldn’t hesitate to ask Shannon to talk to a friend he felt needed a nudge in the right direction. Of course, Ken was always happy to let her know exactly which direction that was; but he truly wanted the best for those he loved.
McKenzie fell asleep in death on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Ken was preceded in death by: mother, LaMerles Gilliam; maternal grandparents, Anita and Gaines Huguley; and uncle, Lamar Edmondson.
Remaining to cherish his memory are: father, James Phillips of Hogansville, Georgia; sistesr, Nedra Janeen Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia, Yoshie Akemi Phillips, Komeke Shanea Phillips, and Korica Venita Phillips, all of LaGrange, Georgia; brother, Donovan LeBret Phillips of West Point, Georgia; aunt, Theresia Edmondson; niece, Ariana Janee’ Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia; devoted cousins, Shannon Edmondson and Jabbar (Jutico) Edmondson; special friend, Jessika Gurule; devoted friends, Susanna Greene and Chris Harris; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services by Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley, AL.
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