James E Phillips Jr.

COLUMBIA - James E. Phillips, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on the afternoon of November 9, 2015. He passed away peacefully with his daughters by his bedside at the Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC. He was 74 years old, and will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home Northeast Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. James will be interred at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229.

James was born in the town of Kosciusko in Attala County, Mississippi on March 14, 1941. He was the first born of two sons to the late Rose Lee Thomas and James Elmer Phillips, Sr.

James was educated in the Chicago Public School system. In 1971 he graduated from the University of Chicago with a dual degree: Master of Business Administration and Master of Fine Arts in Education.

James lovingly called “Phil” by his friends and loved ones, faithfully served his country in the Army branch of the United States Armed Forces from April 27, 1966 until he was discharged with full honors on April 26, 1972. In June of 1972, he married Kathryn Clark, and from that union two daughters were born: Nycki and Teja.

James is survived by, and leaves to mourn, his two daughters, Mrs. C. Nycole Cummings and Min. Teja Smith, one son-in-law, Mr. Shawn Cummings, and five granddaughters, Autumn Smith, C’mone Smith, Brooklynn Smith, Brhia Cummings, and Teoni Cummings, as well as a host of relatives, friends, and loved ones. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Charles Phillips, and his wife Dr. Kathryn Garner.

Please sign the online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com