PHILLIPS

PILOT MOUNTAIN — The Rev. Troy Franklin Phillips, 90, left this earth on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, for a home which he had preached about for 45 years. Born on April 30, 1922, to Idle and Addie Cain Phillips in Surry County, he was a well-known preacher and pastor. Rev. Phillips, known in and around the Pilot Mountain area as Brother Troy, served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Germany, France and Austria. Returning from the war, he married his sweetheart and love of his life, Lillian Gillispie, whom he was married to for 65 years. He was saved by the grace of God in August 1948 and called to preach a few years later. Bro. Troy founded the Rescue Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain and served as pastor for 37 years until his health declined, being a faithful witness in the Pilot Mountain area and winning many people to the Lord. Bro. Troy is now enjoying the fruits of his labor in his eternal home. Well done thou good and faithful servant. Surviving to cherish his memory are one son, Ronnie Troy Phillips of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Tilda and Charles Bennett of Pilot Mountain; two grandsons, Jeffrey Flippin of Salisbury and Brian Flippin of Westfield; four brothers, James Phillips and Ebbie Phillips, both of Pilot Mountain, Lonnie Phillips of Yadkinville and Paul Phillips of Mount Airy; and two sisters, Eloise Wall of Winston-Salem and Peggy Lawrence of Louisiana. Bro. Troy was preceded in death by his father and mother, Idle and Addie Phillips; his wife, Lillian Gillispie; three brothers, Grover Phillips, Sanford Phillips and Harvey Phillips; and one sister, Essie Norman. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Rescue Baptist Church with Bro. Paul Sisk, Bro. T.J. Tilley and Bro. Tim Morrison officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cox-Needham Funeral Home. Floral tribute may be made or memorials may be made to Rescue Baptist Church, c/o Tilda Bennett, 271 Toms Creek Road, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041. The family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Hospice and Cox-Needham Funeral Home for their special and caring help. Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain (www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham) is respectfully serving the Phillips family.