Bennie Phillips

Mr. Bennie Bailey Phillips, Sr., affectionately known as Ben, age 85, of 24917 Lowcountry Highway, Ruffin, died Monday evening, April 21, 2009, at his residence under the care of Hospice Care of South Carolina. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Helen Smyly Phillips.



Funeral services will be conducted 2 oclock Friday afternoon, April 24, 2009, from Saint Johns United Methodist Church, 119 Double Churches Road, Ruffin with The Reverend James Grubb and The Reverend David Cox officiating. Interment, with Masonic Rites, will follow in Smyly Cemetery, Ruffin.



Mr. Phillips was born May 19, 1923 in Orangeburg County. For many years, he employed with the Charleston Naval Shipyard before starting with the Savannah River Site. He then became a general contractor having worked for various construction companies before starting his own company which was named Phillips Construction. He was a member of Saint Johns United Methodist Church in Ruffin, where he was formerly active in many aspects of the churchs work. He was a member and Past Master of Bells Masonic Lodge No. 236, Ancient Free Masons, where he was recently presented with his sixty year pin. He was also thirty-second degree Scottish Rite. He will be remembered for his love of working in the outdoors, being a Colleton County Farmer and for his avid love of fishing the local creeks of Colleton County.



Surviving are: his only son, Bennie Phillips, Jr. of Ruffin and a grandson, Jared Phillips of Ruffin.



Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorials be directed in his memory to the following: Saint Johns Church, 119 Double Churches Road, Ruffin, South Carolina 29475; or to, Hospice Care of South Carolina, 134 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.



For those that wish, memorial messages and condolences may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com .



Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Thursday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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