John Phillips was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, died at home Sunday, May 14, 2023. He was 89 and a native of St. Helena Parish. He was a member of New Zion Baptist Church, a cattle farmer, a former construction worker, a former Marine and a graduate of Kentwood High School, where he was a member of FFA, the football, basketball and track teams.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Marilyn Bridges Phillips; daughter Rachelle and husband Otis "OT" Taylor; son William Thomas "Billy" Phillips; grandsons Phillip and wife Jennifer McDonald Taylor, John Taylor, and Samuel Taylor; great-grandchildren Lena, Lucas, and Lincoln Taylor; sister Anna Phillips Speed and nephew Clifton Thomas Speed, Sr.

He is preceded in death by parents William Thomas "Willie" Phillips, Sr. and Lottie "Marie" Pike Phillips; brother William Thomas "Billy" Phillips, Jr.; brother-in-law Clarence Eddie Speed Sr. and nephew Clarence Eddie Speed, Jr.

Visitation will be held from 9:00AM until time of service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Pine Ridge Methodist Church, 3893 Highway 440, Kentwood, LA 70444 with Rev. Michael Townsend officiating and Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of services. Internment will follow immediately after the service at New Zion Cemetery in Kentwood, LA

Special thanks to Community Care Hospice for their help—Ashley Redmond, Ashley Thomas, Dejunna Holloway, Eric Williams. Special thanks also to caregiver Joyce Ann Gilbert.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Taylor, John Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Travis Day, Kent Blades and Clint Travis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lyn Day, Clifton Speed, Sr., Jimmy Dale Newman, Barry McNabb, Wesley Blades, Kenneth "KT" Travis and  Bobby Travis.