George Dewey Phillips, Jr.

Dewey Phillips, Jr, age 91, died on April 15, 2020, peacefully at home having done everything he wanted to do in his life. He was born on October 16, 1928, in Gulf, North Carolina the oldest child of George Dewey Phillips and Maggie Vaughan.

Dewey came to Murfreesboro as a teenager, met the love of his life, Elizabeth Phillips (Lib), and never left.  His greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband, dad, and pop-pop. At the age of 27 Dewey was diagnosed with a fatal lung disease, his life was saved at the cost of his hearing. Despite his hearing loss Dewey went on to have a full life and to build successful businesses. In 1950 Dewey joined the Mason’s American George #17 Lodge rising to Master Mason. He was a member in good standing for 71 years.

Dewey’s passion for nature, fishing, and hunting carried Lib and Dewey all over the United States with Lib cooking whatever Dewey caught or hunted. Dewey lived a life rich in friends, family, and experiences. He was generous to all and never met a stranger.

Dewey is survived by two daughters, Deborah Pedersen and her husband, Neil, of Chapel Hill and Geri Bradshaw and her husband, Keith, of Murfreesboro; seven grandchildren, Angela Vaught and her husband, Rob, of Kill Devil Hills, Brandon Dewey Phillips and his wife, Eve, of Wilmington, Ashleigh Phillips of Baltimore, MD, and Sarah Beth Phillips of Jackson, Kyle Pedersen and his wife, Suzi, of Asheville, Nora Pedersen of Los Angeles, CA, and Beth Stratton of Richmond, VA; four great grandchildren, Sophia Vaught, Fisher Dewey Phillips, Magnolia and Beau Pedersen. Dewey was predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth Ann Warren Phillips, a son, Dewey LaVerne Phillips, his parents, and his five siblings.

Due to the circumstances with COVID-19, the family will have a private graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro.

In lieu of flowers please give a memorial gift to the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, 301 East High Street, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855 or online by clicking here , or the Murfreesboro Historic Association, PO Box 3, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 or online by clicking here

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Phillips family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.