David Smith Phillips Jr.

David Smith Phillips, 94, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 25, 2023 at Fairfield Mercy Hospital.

David was born in Pittsburg, PA on August 31, 1928.  The son of David S. Phillips Sr., and Kathryn Phillips.  David was baptized and was a “Timothy” of the Orville Church of Christ.

David was a 1947 graduate of Orville High School and graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1951 and went on to study for his Master’s Degree.  He had his first Student Ministry in 1949 at the New Marshfield Church of Christ.  He started his first full time Ministry at the Moscow Church of Christ in 1951.  David also ministered at the Peebles Church of Christ, Greenfield Church of Christ, Highview Church of Christ, Fairfield Church of Christ and was with the Pleasant Run Church of Christ till his death. 

David married the love of his life, Shirley Graham Phillips on June 29, 1951 and they served together in ministry for 61 years, until her passing in 2012.  David continued to teach and preach until the Lord called him home.  David always said he couldn’t retire, because, "How do you retire from a calling from God?"

David and Shirley had 3 children, Timothy D. Phillips (Janna Quinn), Stephen M. Phillips and Cheryl (Jeffrey) Lyle.  5 Grandchildren:  Abby (Josh) Delaney, Aimee (Derek) Carter, J. David (Alison) Lyle, Reid Lyle and Aubrey (Jimmy) Vargas.  8 Great Grandchildren:  Reagan Carter, Maxon Lyle, Brayden Vargas, Maren Lyle, Jesse Carter, Charlie Rae Delaney, Landen and Jayden Vargas and Baby Delaney is on the way.  Gary & Laurie Grubbs, Laurie is the mother of Abby, Aimee and Aubrey.

David had one brother:  William (Luella) Phillips, 2 sisters, Joan (Theodore) Bergfelt and Kathryn (Richard) Thompson.  Sisters and Brother-In-Laws:  Margie and O. George Stansberry and Norma and Don Neumeister, many nieces and nephews he loved as his own.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley, his two sons, Timothy and Stephen, his brother and sister in law, William and Louellen Phillips, his sisters in law and brother in laws and best friends, O. George and Margie Stansberry and Don and Norma Neumeister, his nephew Daniel Thompson and his Aunts, Uncles and several Cousins.

David’s celebration of life will be on Saturday, February 4th at 10:00 A.M. along with the Visitation on Friday, February 3rd at 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.  at the Avance Funeral Home, 4976 Winton Road, Fairfield, Ohio  45014.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pleasant Run Church of Christ, 2720 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio  45231 and the Mt. Healthy Christian Village, 8097 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio  45231.

Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.avancefuneralhome.com

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