Thurmond David Phillips

Thurmond David Phillips, 84, passed away Saturday June 15, 2019. He was born May 19, 1935 in Yadkin County to the late Astor Vance Phillips and Lillian Smitherman Phillips. Thurmond, affectionally known as “Nurm” to those who knew him best graduated from Yadkinville High School in 1954. He served and was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1964. He then returned to work at Pleasants Hardware where he retired after 42 years of service. While working public work, he was an avid tobacco farmer for a number of years and also took great pride in his gardening talents and growing watermelons in the branch bottoms. Thurmond took great pride in discussing and educating others in family and neighborhood history. He was an avid baseball and racing fan. He played baseball as a youngster and throughout high school and later played American Legion ball. Thurmond was a charter member of the Forbush Fire Department. After his retirement from Pleasants Hardware, he worked for Home Depot for another 12 years, which illustrated his compassion for the hardware industry and his joy working directly with the public. He loved to help people. He loved his family! There was nothing like those grands and great grands when they started coming along. Thurmond will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him until we all meet again. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Nell Hauser, Gale Malloy; three brothers A. V. Phillips Jr., Tom Phillips, and Ed Phillips. Surviving are his wife of 62 years Jean Lashmit Phillips; two sons Mike (Diane) Phillips, Stephen (Brenda) Phillips; grandchildren Shannon (Renee) Phillips, Sharon (Justin) Reece, Kyle (Kelly) Phillips, Amanda (Austin) Conrad; great grandchildren Reese Phillips, Jaxon Phillips, Riley Reece, Avery Reece, Porter Phillips, Kimber Conrad; numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Monday June 17, 2019 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. His funeral will be conducted at 1:00 PM Tuesday June 18, 2019 at Gentry Family Chapel by Rev. Dennis Shaw. Burial will follow at Baltimore United Methodist Church with Full Military honors by the NC National Guard and VFW Post 10346. The family would like to thank Mountain valley Hospice for their loving care and dedication for Thurmond. Special thanks to Dr. Christopher Thomas and staff of Wake Forest Hematology/Oncology. Memorials may be made to Mountain valley Hospice 243 N. Lee Avenue Yadkinville, NC 27055. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.