Funeral services for Charles Preston Phillips set

Funeral services for Charles Preston Phillips, 79 of Spiro are Thursday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro with Elder Dennis Ruff officiating.

Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at the  Fort Smith National Cemetery. under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in  Spiro. Wake services are Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Charles was born Feb. 10, 1946, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to parents Claude Phillips and Charlene Wells.
Intelligent and athletic, Charles excelled in sports during his time at Lincoln High School. It was shortly after high school that he married Margaret Lee Whitfield (Jones) of Spiro. They lived in San Diego, California, where Charles was stationed after joining the Navy. This union produced a son, Jevon Shawn Phillips, who was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Charles worked in the Navy as a boiler room technician. It was one of the toughest jobs you could have on a ship, and his boat was sunk a few times while patrolling areas like the Mekong River during the Vietnam War.

Surrounded by military friends, Charles settled in San Diego for a while. That’s where he met and lived with Mary Berry. From their relationship came a daughter, Mary Noel Berry. After Charles and Mary split, he moved back to Spiro, settling in the home next to his mother, Charlene.

Decades later, “Mr. P” became well-known in the town as someone who could help you fix machinery, and get you a beer while doing it. All along, he looked in on a friend, Delores Clayton, as they maintained a cordial relationship. On May 14, 2014, they finally made it official and were married. With Dee’s children — Deedra Hershel, David Pouncil and Morticia Barnes — and grandchildren, a new family was formed.

The last decade has had some up and down health problems for both of them, but God has seen them through it all, including leading Charles to give his life to the Lord years ago.

He will be missed and celebrated by many for his generous spirit, practical wisdom and inviting laughter.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Delores of Spiro; a son, Jevon of Pasadena, Ca.; a daughter, Mary of Boston, Ma.; brothers Jerry Lee Phillips and wife, LaDell of Fort Coffee; Harold Phillips and wife, Brenda of Pomona, Ca.; Delmar Eugene Phillips of Spiro; Sam Charles Phillips of Murry Spur; Gary Phillips of Van Buren; Brandon Phillips of Murry Spur; Kirk Phillips of Fort Coffee; and sisters Lois Woods and husband Alvin of Kansas City; and Vanessa Caldwell of Fort Smith. There are also many grandchildren and scores of cousins, nephews and nieces. Preceding Charles in death are sister Linda Masey and brothers Fred Phillips, Gerald Chapman and Aaron Phillips.

You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.