Gerald Wayne Phillips

Gerald Wayne Phillips, 88, of Enville, Tennessee, passed away on October 8, 2025. He was born on April 9, 1937, in Finger to Otis and Rachel Clayton Phillips.

Gerald worked for 44 years at Continental Concrete in Chicago as a mechanic, though he could just about do anything that needed doing around the company. He took pride in a job well done and wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. As he often liked to say “whenever there was a difficult job no one else could do, they’d come get me to do it.”

When he wasn’t working, Gerald loved to tinker with anything that had an engine — cars, tractors, lawn mowers, you name it. He enjoyed gardening, talking about the old days, and telling stories that could make anyone laugh. He never met a tool he didn’t like or a project he wouldn’t try.

One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family, especially his great-grandbabies. He loved watching them play and jump on the trampoline, cheering them on with his famous “Jump, jump!”

Gerald was a lifelong Dale Earnhardt fan and loved going to the races and monster truck shows, soaking in the roar of the engines and the excitement of it all.

He is survived by his children: Jeri Drake (Bill), Judi Richardson, John Phillips (Rachel), and Janet Cemerikic; his sister, Joyce Miller (Glen); his brother, Neal Phillips; his grandchildren: Kristina Gatewood (Michael), Jaclyn Cooper (Matthew), Katherine Nicholson (Terry), Brittany Rogers (Michael), Justin Phillips (Ashley), Iley Phillips, Harley Phillips and Sabrina Miller; and his great-grandchildren: Kayden, Eli, Kinley, Ethan, and Ella Nicholson; Paisley Gatewood; and Landon and Kaylee Rogers. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Burkeen Phillips; his parents, Otis and Rachel Phillips; sisters, Marie and Linda; brothers, Glen and Harold; and his son-in-law, Willie Richardson.

Services to celebrate Gerald’s life will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Associated Family Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue until service time. Burial will follow at Milledgeville City Cemetery.

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