Sterling Phillips, Sr.

Mr. Sterling Eugene Phillips, Sr., born September 30, 1924 in Greensboro, NC, son of James Edward and Josephine Bray Phillips, died in Burlington, NC on December 15, 2016.
He married Elizabeth Lee Vick, his high school sweetheart, in 1945 and raised three children in Greensboro before moving to the Twin Lakes Community in Burlington in 1992. At Twin Lakes, Mr. Phillips served on the Board of Directors, as President of the Men's Club, and in leadership positions in the Twin Lakes Auxiliary. He and Lib were members of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, then of First Presbyterian Church in Burlington. They were married 69 years. Lib passed away in 2014.
Though Sterling and Lib did not attend college themselves, the education of their children was a very high priority. All three children graduated from college with honors, including a Morehead Scholar, a Phi Beta Kappa, and a graduate degree. In addition, all ten grandchildren graduated college and seven have earned their Masters.
Mr. Phillips was a veteran of WWII, serving under General George S. Patton in the 4th Infantry Division in three European campaigns, including the final push into Germany and earned the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star. He also served at the Pentagon. He was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company for 41 years, retiring as a Building Industry Consultant, and was a Mason, Greensboro Lodge 76.
He is survived by his son Sterling Phillips, Jr. and wife Pat Ferrill of McLean, VA; son Vick Phillips and wife Sue of Charlotte, NC; daughter Patricia Phillips Clark and husband Jordan of Atlanta, GA; and an especially close niece, Gay Baynes of Norfolk, VA. He was also the proud "Pop" to 10 grandchildren, Page Phillips Mack, Matthew Cameron Phillips (wife Jenn), Kristin Phillips Bailey (husband Craig), Peter McLean Phillips (wife MC), Mark Edward Phillips (wife Celeste), Elizabeth Ferrill, Meg Ferrill (wife Jen Bowen), Dorsett Clark Davis (husband Preston), Graham Clark Mudd (husband Josh), Suzanne Clark Stearns (husband Robert) and 18 great grandchildren (soon to be 20).
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the May-Foley Chapel, 3801 Wade Coble Drive, at Twin Lakes in Burlington with the Reverend Clyde Christmas officiating. Military honors will be provided by the 82nd Airborne Division. A reception In the Pepper Tree restaurant at Twin Lakes will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial gifts be made to the Memory Care Center at Twin Lakes, 3701 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC 27215

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