Arthur Roy Phillips, first a sinner saved by the precious blood of Jesus, as well as a loving husband, father, honey-pappa, brother, uncle, friend and barber, took his seat at the Father's Table Feb. 17, 2024.
Roy was born Dec. 19, 1959 in Dallas to Cecil and Dorothy Phillips. 
Roy lived his life for the Lord and it was evident to all who knew him. He was a man of genuine faith and his prayers were powerful. 
Roy covered his family in prayer each morning, beginning with the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm, followed with petition for God's Hedge of protection around each one, in this fashion: "Keep your hedge around Veronica, our children Wendy, Leslie and Chris, Melissa and Jason and our grandchildren Brendon, Olivia and Caeden, Brooke and Andrew, Joey and Stephanie, Tanner and Sunshine-Brooke, Christian and Liz, Kylin, Zephie and Sarah and great-grandchildren Beck, Aria, Cali and baby Cyrus and all those to come and bind the evil one far far from them." 
Being the 41st day of the year, the 41st Psalm was part of the scripture he read to Veronica the morning he would begin his final steps to heaven and the 48th Psalm was read to him the morning he entered in eternal rest in Christ. 
Roy and Veronica loved serving the Lord together teaching children's church. His face would light up when sharing about how the Lord would give him the lesson and how their lives were changed by what they learned about God and His Holy Word from the children each time. Chances are you were given a ready-or-not quiz, regardless of when or where your paths crossed.
Roy was honored that Doyle Holt entrusted him with the Mabank Barbershop. He took pride not only in continuing Doyle's legacy but also in the opportunity it presented for serving his community. 
There are 100 years of barbering in the Phillips family lineage. Being a barber was not just a job to Roy. He loved the profession and looked forward to getting to the shop to cut hair and visit with his very loyal clientele - he was not happy with nor did he accept being called "non-essential."
Whether given a Bible quiz, sharing stories about hunting, touting three hogs with one shot or bragging about his kids and grandkids becoming barbers as well, you would hear a story and sometimes more than once.
Roy was also an avid deer hunter. His hunting buddies Roger, Butch, Robert Cory, Jarred and Greg, were important to him. He loved the trips when all the guys were there but was careful to keep peace on the home-front and take Veronica hunting until they tagged out. They loved their time together at the lease and providing the best for their family.
The man that we celebrate today was a man of integrity, honor and strength. He is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we will miss him greatly until we meet again in the sweet bye-and-bye.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margie Burrows, mother-in-law Doris J. Prewitt, father-figure Ferd T. Gauen, Jr., hunting buddy and brother-in-law Tim Marshall and precious daughter Wendy Leigh Phillips-Peden.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, daughter Leslie Smith and husband Chris, daughter Melissa Burch and husband Jason, nine amazing grandchildren and four precious great-grandchildren and his brother Bob Phillips and wife Vicki. 
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Kemp. Celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m.  Monday, March 4, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of the following:
"Roy Phillips Scholarship Fund" made payable to: 1st Class Barber College with the designation "scholarship fund" in the note - mail to Veronica Phillips P.O. Box 308 Eustace Texas 75124.
"Children's Church" made payable to: Hillcrest Baptist Church with the designation "children's church" in the note - mail to Hillcrest Baptist Church P.O. Box 392, Kemp, Texas 75143
"Bill Johnson Ministries" made payable to: "Bill Johnson Ministries" with the designation "in memory of Arthur Roy Phillips" in the note - mail to Veronica Phillips, P.O. Box 308 Eustace Texas or if you prefer to give online, go to https://bjm.org/give/
The family requests, if you send flowers please no roses.