My thoughts and prayers go out to the Lassiter family. I didn't have the opportunity to meet Philip but after hearing numerous memories about him it is evident that he was a very special man who touched many lives. Please accept my deepest condolences, I know he will be dearly missed.

The ultimate professional, Phil was a man of tremendous character and trust.  His support over the past 23 years was always valued and his friendship was always appreciated.  Staff had tremendous respect and "if Phil said it, it was so".  I believe I speak for many in saying he was the the financial geru that helped us keep our sanity in a very changing world.  
You will be greatly missed my friend.

While I did not have the pleasure of meeting Phil in person, we were able to have several Zoom visits together with Phil and my sister Mindy.  Phil's personality of warmth, humor and kindness was so evident and his love for Mindy was so apparent. 
He was such a joy to have known and such a wonderful man to Mindy.  I find great comfort in their devotion and happiness as a couple and I am sure Phil will always be remembered and loved by Mindy, his family and friends.  
Rest In Peace with God Always and Forever.
Nancy Kirschenbaum     

Phil has been a trusted colleague and friend over the years.  We have worked together in many capacities.  He has been my state co-worker, my Local Business Liaison in Carteret County, and most recently since he retired . . . a contract employee with our agency.  Phil came to help us out in Carteret when our Business Officer position turned over, but more importantly, he came because he enjoyed HELPING.  Phil would come and do the business, and then come sit down in my office to chat it up and end up going home very late.  He was a good person, good business person, and just a great MAN.  He will be sorely missed by so very many in the Social Services world.  Rest in peace, my friend.  Our thoughts and prayers and love go to the family . . 

Cindy Holman

I only knew Phil through my work  at Martin County DSS.  The statement of "He set the standard..."  is so true.  Everytime he would come to office, I would tell him he was the smartest man I knew.  His expertise & way of explaining things will never be matched.    Always patient & kind.  We hated to see him leave when he retired & would often say, "Sure  do wish we could call Phil."  My deepest sympathy goes out to his family & friends.  My  prayers will continue to go up for you.

I had the pleasure of working with Phil for over 20 years.  One thing I recognized about Phil from the beginning was that he liked to give people "the deer in the headlights look".  Like when he told me, while training me as a new Admin. Officer, that I had two days to learn everything my predecessor knew.  He even told me I was going to be tested on it all.  Phil certainly got that look from me then.  I will also remember Phil for his entertaining presentations at our Admin. Officer meetings.   I especially knew we were in for a treat whenever Phil mentioned that we consider something “just for kicks and giggles”; and yes,  many times it included "little Johnny".   As much as I will miss Phil, I know his family and loved ones will miss him all the more.  Know that I am praying for you, that in the days to come, you will find comfort and peace as you treasure all of the memories that you have of him.  God bless you all; and Phil, may you rest in peace.    

I met Phil many, many years ago through my job at Currituck County DSS.  He was one of a kind to say the least.  Phil was extremely intelligent and was well respected in the DSS community.  He was a straight shooter and told it like it was.  This was a rare and valued quality.  He did not mind sharing his opinion on the subject matter even if it was a little left of center at times.  :)  The best thing about reaching out to Phil for advice was you always received an answer - usually with a very entertaining delivery.  It was a  very sad day for DSS when he retired, and November 14th was a very sad day for anyone that ever had the pleasure of meeting him.   

I met Phil over 15 years ago when I became an Accounting Technician at Carteret County DSS.  He intimidated me at first, but quickly became a great friend and mentor. I relied on his advice numerous times in both my professional and personal life. I applied for his job when he retired and was offered the job, but due to his wonderful advice,  he helped me realize it wasn't the right time as a single mother to be on the road so often. He truly cared about me as a person.  Years after leaving DSS, I would randomly receive an email asking how me and my daughter were doing. Phil, you will be so missed. Thank you for always believing in me.

Phil was a mentor and friend to me for almost 28 years,  and has been with me throughout my career as a DSS Business Officer at Craven County.  As all of us who were "his counties" know, there was just about nothing he would not do to assist (during a time of storm/power outage, he helped my accounting tech by flashlight at his home to get our State reports in)...and one of the greatest gifts he gave us as Business/Admin Officers, was each other.  He encouraged us to communicate,  to contact each other for assistance,  to share the knowledge,  to become the network we are.  Sharing what he knew was his gift...his humor and his laugh were an added bonus.  I will miss him terribly, his briefcase, the straightforward colorful conversations, the friendship.   Well done, Phil, time to hit the beach.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Phil’s family, may God give you comfort and peace as you learn to navigate this world without him. I had the pleasure of working with Phil, both at the county and state level and while he was a great LBL that is not what defines him for me. He was above all a great man and friend. I will be forever grateful for his mentorship to me  as a fiscal officer for Beaufort Co. DSS and for all the knowledge he shared with me as a fiscal monitor for the state, but most of all I could never repay him for the compassion and generosity he showed me as he leant me his shoulder to cry on when I lost my husband, Eric, to a heart attack in 2019. Phil always made himself available to others when they needed a friend. He cared deeply for his fellow man and his huge heart will be missed by many….well his sarcastic wit and dry humor will be too! Go rest high on that mountain, Phil Lassiter, we shall see you again in paradise!

Phil was my biggest cheerleader when I was Accounting Specialist & then Business Officer. He was such a special person and he always knew how to brighten your day.   Working with him for so many years created a friendship that was truly special to me and so many others.   He will truly be missed.  On a professional note he was the best LBL that I had the pleasure of working with. RIP Phil.   Thoughts and prayers for the family during this difficult time. 

When I unexpectedly became Director at Tyrrell  County DSS 7 years ago, I was not prepared.  One of the first people I met was Phil.  I remember him telling me to "just keep the wheels on the bus" and you will be fine.  During that time and until as recent as a week ago, he helped me navigate the ends and outs of the job.  I doubt that I would have stayed in this position without his support and him always being my biggest cheerleader to succeed.  Though he worked for the state, the counties always felt like he was one of us.  He was THE most knowledgeable person for all things DSS that I have ever met.  He was an inspiration to so many of us and not only a mentor, but a friend.  He will be missed very much.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Lassiter family.  Like so many  County DSS Directors across the state,  I will miss the best LBL the state has ever known.  Phil was my friend and he will be dearly missed. 

I will always remember Phil for his knowledge, dedication and commitment to the may DSS Directors and Agencies he served. He was straightforward and caring all at the same time. He was One of a Kind and will be missed. My prayers go out to the Lassiter family during this difficult time. May God Comfort You.

Phil is certainly one of a kind and I will miss him considerably. Leading up to my first time meeting him, I was told by my Director of the time, Chris Harper, that Phil is God... do what he says. That set the tone for what I was expecting. What I wasn't expecting was to develop a friend and a mentor who guided me along the merry path. 

Phil helped and pushed me to become the Business Officer I am today. With his help, I was able to develop Jones County DSS achieve the highest reimbursement rate in the State. This is an achievement I am exceptionally proud of. He pushed me to explore outside of my comfort zone and asked me to apply for his job after his retirement. Although that did not work out, he helped me yet again in providing a reference for me to come to Carteret County. 

I will forever remember the characters of the anecdotes he told from Little Miss Molly over to Little Johnnie. He was not politically correct and would give you the straight answer. I will miss our phone calls and debates of all kinds. 

Rest in Peace Phil... you fought the good fight every day. 

Phil was one of a kind for sure.   He had so many sayings that made us giggle at the quarterly DSS meetings.  My two favorite were "keep it simple" and "rut ro".  Such a wonderful man.  I am deeply sorry for your loss.

OBITUARY

Phillip Owens Lassiter

30 January, 1958 – 14 November, 2021

Cotten Funeral Home

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