Eugene Phillips
March 28, 1948-Nov. 15, 2022
Published on Palmer Funeral Home website:
Obituary
Eugene Phillips, age 74, born March 28, 1948, in Fort Deposit, Alabama, transitioned from this life on Friday, November 15, 2022. He resided in South Bend, Indiana since the age of 2 years old.
Eugene’s beloved parents Cora and Samuel Phillips, preceded him years earlier when they were called home by God.
Eugene was unique. He once drove to Mexico for a short vacation and came home with a wife, Minerva Banos. They are now divorced. They had two sons; Bryce and Alan Phillips, who he loved unconditionally. Eugene would smile from ear to ear when talking about his grandson, Alan, being taller than him and watching him play football along with his brother Samuel. His granddaughter, Ayrieana, was cherished by him and he called her his “Princess.” His sons and grandchildren were the joy of his life.
The only way to describe Eugene as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother is to say, “He was the best!”
Eugene was a gentle, loving, caring, and easy-going person. He never made problems for anyone. If anyone needed his help, he would extend all that he had to them and he made sure that they had everything that they needed.
However, there is a lot more to Eugene’s story.
As a young boy, Eugene was baptized at the Holiness Church of God and Christ. He had a paper route that he enjoyed very much and he enjoyed earning his own money. In high school, his love for math led him to an architectural job which came to a halt because soon after he graduated from Central High School he went off to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
When he was honorably discharged from the army, he began working for the Bendix Corporation as a custodian where he retired after many years of faithful service.
Eugene had many interests and talents during his lifetime. He was a talented mechanic, horse-back rider, and he raised and trained hunting dogs. He had a dog named Rusty at one time that he loved and adored. He was a hunter and an expert shooter with a gun and rifle. He was a real frontier kind of guy! His most recent hobby was the joy of playing card games on the internet especially Bid whist. Franky's and Martin's and Popeye's chicken were some of his favorite foods.
Eugene leaves behind the love of his life Minerva Banos, their two sons Bryce and Alan Phillips; daughter-in-law, Deyonna Buchanan; his grandchildren Alan Jr., Samuel, Ayrieana, Marlese and Michael; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Barbara Lark Jones, Margaret (Prince) Phillips Legree, Elaine Phillips Minks, Christine (Phillip) Phillips Williams, and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Palmer Funeral Home - West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend. Additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the services.