With his loving wife Betti of 51 years at his side, along with family members and friends, Charlie slipped peacefully away in the afternoon hours of February 28, 2012. The passing was a result of a brief but serious illness.
Charlie was native to Fayette County, as was his family. He was born in a little frame house on Hwy. 92, between Fayetteville and Fairburn on July 7, 1937. Following his graduation from North Clayton High School in 1956 he attended the University of Georgia and Georgia State College. Charlie then went to work at College Park Ready Mix which was owned by his father Harold and uncle, Kemsey Phillips. This was where he learned the concrete business and learned it well. In 1960 Charlie took the hand of Betti Carolyn Jeffords of Gainesville, Fla.
Charlie enlisted in the U.S Army and served with distinction during the Berlin Conflict.
In the mid 1960’s Charlie, his father Harold and Uncle Kemsey, started Phillips Concrete Block on Hwy. 314 just north of Fayetteville. Soon they added a ready mix plant. Phillips Block and Readymix had been created. The business was highly successful throughout the 60’s and expanded to include similar operations in Conyers, College Park and Stockbridge, along with a trucking and hauling company, Charlie and his father purchased the assets of all the companies in the late 60’s and Charlie acquired ownership of the companies following the untimely death of his father on Father’s Day of 1972. Charlie’s boundless energy, ethics and good business sense prevailed for 35 years after which time Charlie sold the businesses and retired. Fayetteville and the other communities he served prospered as a result of the many jobs and essential services his efforts provided.
Fayette County and surrounding areas have been home to the Phillips families to the pre-Civil War era. Charlie’s Great-Grandmother, Shellanna Marvellier Holt Tidwell earned a page in history, when at the time of her birth and during the Battle of Jonesboro, a cannon ball shattered the wall of her birthing room. A white flag from the cabin got the attention of the Union General John “Blackjack” Logan and he ordered a temporary ìcease fireî while a squad of Union soldiers investigated. General Logan then had the family and the newborn, Shellanna safely escorted from the area. The battle then resumed. At a later time, General Logan oversaw the Christening of the little Shellanna. He was named as godfather and presented the family with a gold coin to be remembered by.
Betti and Charlie were active in the Fayette community. They are members of the Fayetteville United Methodist Church and Charlie served as a County Commissioner. He was Commission Chairman in 1978. Charlie also served as president of the Fayette County Homebuilders Association in 1983. Charlie was also an active member of the Fayette County Rotary Club.
In earlier years, Charlie was an avid hunter, boater, fisherman, outdoorsman and gardener. He loved owning and driving antique cars and to this day he would prefer to drive his vintage 1947 Ford pickup than a new one.
CHARLIE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND WILL BE MISSED!
Charlie was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Barrow Phillips, his father, Harold C. Phillips, his brother, Ralph Larry Phillips and his sister, Margaret Jeanine Phillips.
He is survived by his wife, Betti Jeffords Phillips and one son, Michael C. Phillips, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Wed., March 7, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville. Entombment will follow at Camp Memorial Park. The family received friends on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
