Stephen Allen Phillips

Following a brief encounter with cancer, Stephen A. Phillips departed this earthly life to begin a new life with his Heavenly Father on the evening of February 3, 2018. 

The first of five sons, Steve was born on October 25, 1960, to Don and Virginia Phillips in the small, farm town of Richmond, Indiana.  Born with spina bifida, Steve courageously fought many leg surgeries in his early years.  With great determination, Steve went on to play high school basketball and graduated from Muncie North High School in 1976.

Steve attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana before pursuing a career in journalism.  He excelled in sports coverage, news editing, magazine and journal publications, and feature writing.  Steve was a sports enthusiast, an avid Notre Dame football fan, a master-level chess player, and an excellent trout fisherman on the White River in northern Arkansas.
Over the past 15 years, Steve lived and worked in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area where he launched and managed several entrepreneurial ventures.  In September of 2017 - nearing retirement, Steve relocated to the Chattanooga area where his illness quickly commanded full attention.
Throughout his entire life, Steve was known for his witty replies, jokes, and quick humor.  During his recent treatments at Erlanger Hospital, Steve continued to entertain with his personality, puns, and greeted nurses and doctors with fist bumps and sarcastic humor - evoking smiles and laughter from all those around him.
Steve is survived by his life partner, Leigh Drake (Cleveland, Tennessee), daughter, Holly Phillips (Austin, Texas), parents, Don and Virginia Phillips (Ringgold, Georgia), brothers, Mark Phillips (Sweetwater, Tennessee), Sam Phillips (Los Angeles, California), Joseph Phillips (Natalie - Sarasota, Florida), Ben Phillips (Laura - Atlanta, Georgia), several nieces, a nephew, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
The Phillips Family extends gratitude toward each healthcare team member at Erlanger and Hospice of Chattanooga.  Each physician, nurse, and healthcare professional assigned to Steve provided exceptional care during this challenging period.
All are welcome to join a memorial service from 11-1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Christ First Church, 1008 N. Beaumont Rd., Ringgold, Ga.  Steve's most admired uncle, Rev. Jerry Tallent, will lead the service.

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