Elize Phillips

The Rev. Elize Phillips, 82, of Columbia, S.C., died Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at Providence NE Hospital in Columbia. He was born in Jackson, Miss., the son of Elize Phillips Sr. and Ellen Youngblood Phillips. The family had lived in the Hermondale, Mo., community for many years. The Rev. Elize Phillips Sr. and family were the founders of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in West Hermondale, Mo.

Rev. Elize had pastored in Chicago before moving back to Blytheville in 1994. In 1998, he moved to Texas and then to South Carolina to be with family.

He leaves two daughters, Ms. Andrea Phillips of Chicago and Ms. Pearl Geiger of Lansing, Mich.;

Two sons, Chamberlin Phillips and his wife, Kim, of Blythewood, S.C., and Johnny Phillips and his wife, Yvonne, of Lawrenceville, Ga.;

Twelve grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; and

Nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 515 E. Sawyer St., Blytheville, with the Rev. Clark Phillips, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Holland, Mo.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.