Everette "Phil" Guy Phillips

Everette (Phil) Phillips, 87, passed away on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 after battling health issues, including blindness and dementia.  He has now been reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara Garber-Phillips, who passed away on February 23, 2021.  They had been married for over 30 years and she was the love of his life.  Phil was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin Phillips and Coralee Love Phillips, and step-son to Sally Phillips.  He is survived by one brother, Jimmy of South Carolina, sisters-in-law Terry Phillips, Joanne Phillips, and Ruby Phillips, niece Paula and husband Paul Payne, and nephews Melvin, Ronnie, and Dwayne.

He was the step-father to Linda Garber-Kreimer of Hanover, Pennsylvania and Michael Garber and his wife, Amy, of Westminster, Maryland.  He was the grandfather to Adam Kreimer of Walkersville, Lauren Foster of Illinois, Taylor Garber and Meghan Miller of Westminster, and great-grandfather to Ashlyn and Addison Foster of Illinois.

Phil served in the United States Army from April of 1956 to April of 1960, at which point he was honorably discharged.  Phil was proud to be an American and very proud of his country.  He loved meeting and talking with other veterans.  Before retiring, Phil was employed by the Springfield State Hospital as a cook for 32 years.  He then went on to work at Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren, his home church, as the maintenance facilitator for over 5 years.  During his retirement, he also helped his wife, Barbara, with her home daycare and also her home baking business, Barb’s Cake World.  You could also find Phil flipping pancakes at the monthly pancake breakfasts at Meadow Branch Church, being an usher on Sunday mornings for church services, as well as being an attendance taker for the church.  A highlight of Phil’s life was when he and his wife were able to attend Cal Ripken’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Phil loved the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens.  He also enjoyed picnics with his family and church family.  He enjoyed playing corn hole, driving to Gettysburg battlefield and watching the deer, sitting in the backyard, watching and feeding the squirrels and birds, and he loved his vegetable garden.  He loved to travel, whether it be by car or boat.  He and his wife went on many cruises as well as traveling to California and South Carolina to visit with family.  Phil, along with his wife, were close personal friends of county music singer and Grand Ole Opry member, Bill Anderson.  They were always traveling to Nashville to attend Fan Fair, or the Country Music Festival as well as traveling to local states to attend Bill Anderson shows.

Phil was predeceased by siblings Paul Phillips, Bob Phillips, Frank Phillips, Arthur Phillips, and Esther Dibiasi, brother-in-law Gino Dibiasi, sister Sadie, and brother-in-law Doug Knight, and stepsisters Florence Whitaker and Vera Catoe.

We would love to thank Carroll Hospice for their wonderful care over the past several months.  We especially would like to mention Corinne, Chloe, Jane, Brandi, Brenda and Tracey.  The family would also like to thank Valerie Rogers who was Phil’s personal caretaker during the day. And a special thank you to Marcia Bubel who would come in and sit with Phil on Saturday nights and listen to country music with him. Thank you to Pastor Amy Bell, who worked closely with Everette and his wife Barbara, since the onset of their illnesses and passing.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 91 Willis St., Westminster and on Friday, April 23rd from 10:00 a.m. until the time a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren, 818 Old Taneytown Rd. Westminster with Pastor Amy Bell officiating.  (For those unable to attend, services will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/MDFHWestminster).  Burial will follow in the Meadow Branch Cemetery, with a luncheon following in the church fellowship hall.  Memorials may be made to Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren.