IN LOVING MEMORY OF ELDER G.W. PHILLIPS
He departed this life Jan. 12th, 1915, at the age of very near 78 years. He was born and raised in Butts county; joined the Primitive Baptist church in early manhood. Was consistent, though fearless, in his views. He served in the Civil war; lost his hand at the very last; came home to a loving wife and one little son. With nothing of this world's goods and only one hand, he went to work, made a good living and bought a home. At about middle age he began preaching and served his Lord as best he could until some three years ago, when his heath failed him. Some thirty years ago he moved to Rockdale county, then to Atlanta, but has lived in Fitzgerald for the last eleven years, but was living in Monroe with his daughter at the time of his death.
Just one week before he died he called his daughter, Ella, to his bed and asked what text she had picked out for him, she said: "Nothing in particular, pa, just use any that's on your mind." So he began to talk about the goodness of God. He said when he saw Jesus and was made like him, he would be satisfied, and that he wanted to fly away and be with the Lord. He talked one day and night without sleep or ceasing, but we could only understand parts of sentences. I think if we could, it would have been a powerful sermon, he would try to show us something so often and he would reach up and seemed to be shaking hands with someone and would smile so sweetly. He didn't seem to suffer very much, just weak and feeble.
He was a true friend, a kind and loving husband, and a devoted father . There are six children and his wife to mourn his death. Two sons, Aaron and Charlie, both of Atlanta, four daughters, Mrs. Ivey of Monroe, Mrs. Chafin and Mrs. Taylor of Fitzgerald, and Mrs. Adams of Faulkville, Alabama.
DAUGHTER.
