Bobby Ross Phillips, 77, of Adel, Georgia, died Monday, August 31 at home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held on September 3, 2015. A family graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Adel at 10:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service held at First Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at the church hall. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 at Boone Funeral Home, 1804 S. Hutchinson Ave., in Adel.

Mr. Phillips was born October 12, 1937 to the late John Otis and Bessie McDaniel Phillips. He graduated from Cook High School and Troy State University where he played football and was the captain his senior year. He attended Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia and received his masters degree in math education. After school his coaching career began at Albany High School in Albany, Georgia. After two years he returned to Adel to coach at his alma mater for 14 years until he transitioned into a banking career at Farmers and Merchants Bank. He retired from Adel Banking Company in 2009. Mr. Phillips was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Adel and served in many capacities. Mr. Phillips was active in many local civic organizations and was elected as an Adel City councilman in 1978.

Bobby met the love of his life, Barbara "Butch" Newsom Phillips at the beach during his college years. After several refusals, she agreed to a date for a night of dancing. The dancing never stopped and they were married for 55 years. Bobby was many things to many people: teacher, coach, mentor and friend. The family has heard stories this week about learning to swim from Bobby, learning geometry from him or his giving them their first loan. Bobby had a great sense of humor and was quick to tease but always brought out the best in those around him. As one of his former players put it, "My parents raised me, but your dad made me a man."

Mr. Phillips is survived by his loving wife Barbara Newsom Phillips of Adel, son Ross and Susan Phillips of Austin, Texas, son Phil and Jenny Phillips of Land o' Lakes, Florida; grandchildren Michael Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Spencer Phillips, Laura Phillips and Parker Phillips; brothers and sisters James and Sara Phillips of Fitzgerald, Van and Carolyn Phillips of Adel, Kay and Jim Powell of Milton Florida, and in addition to his parents, was preceded in death by two brothers, J. O. Phillips and Harvey Phillips, and two sisters Gladys Cato and Ethel Leverett.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Adel or to the Troy University Alumni Association, Troy, Alabama.