On November 10, 2014, at the dawning of the day, God called our father home Loyd Melvin Phillips , 87, of Harvey, WV died at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV from complications of that terrible disease called Alzheimer's. His loving daughter was by his side when he went to his heavenly home.
Born July 20, 1927 at Sewell, WV he was the son of the late George Willard and Alma Combs Phillips and stepson of the late Alma Green Phillips.
Mr. Phillips spent 48 years working for the C&O Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He worked out of Thurmond and Raleigh.
He attended Packs Branch Baptist Church in Mount Hope where Sam Vance is Pastor. In his younger days her traveled all around West Virginia singing gospel music with The Red Star Quartet which was composed of he and his wife, Kathryn Phillips, and Ruby and Clinton Criss. The also frequently sang on the Rev. Ernest Barley's radio program.
He was a World War II US Army veteran for which he received the Victory Medal and Philippine Independence Ribbon.
His wife of 59 years, Kathryn Fitzgerald Phillips preceded him death as did brothers, Fred Phillips (died as an infant), George Phillips, Burl Phillips, and John Phillips and sisters, Kate Byrd, Gladys Powers and Blanche Wilson.
He is survived by a loving family which includes, Vonda Bailey and husband, Ricky of Prosperity and with whom he made his home for the past six years, Terrence "Terry" Phillips and wife, Pam of Chesapeake, VA, Paul Phillips and wife, Sharon of Dewitt, VA and LeAnn Phillips and companion, Kevin Hiatt of Harvey.
Also surviving are grandsons, Travis Loyd Phillips of Chesapeake, VA, and Dakota Reese Newman of Boise, Idaho; granddaughters, Lindsey Wood of Chesapeake, VA, and Casey Phillips of Dewitt, VA; six great grandsons and one great granddaughter all of Chesapeake, VA; one brother, Earl Phillips and wife, Mary Jane of Brunswick, OH; four sisters, Mary Frances Blanks of Hampton, VA, Ruth Dorton of North Ridgeville, OH, Sylvia Phillips of Chesapeake, VA , and Sheryl Oliver and husband, Larry of Hilltop; his many nieces and nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Rev. Sam Vance officiating. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity with military graveside rites by Oak Hill VFW Post #3110.
Visitation will be held at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope on Friday, November 14, 2014 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Online condolences may be sent at
www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, WV