Johnnie Evern Phillips

Johnnie Evern Phillips, 82, of Perkinston, Mississippi died Thursday, January 16, 2020 in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was born on August 2, 1937 in Smackover, Arkansas. Johnnie’s parents were Jeffie Phillips and Martha Slater Philips. He earned a B.S.E. in Education as well as a Masters in Science. Johnnie served 26 years of military service in the Marine Corps and retired as a Captain. He was highly decorated for service in Korea and Vietnam. He received the Lumen Christi award in 2007. Johnnie worked as a High School Science teacher in Missouri, and was also a football and baseball coach. He was a letter carrier in Perkinston, Mississippi. He worked at Job Core for 5 years, and was a self-employed home general improvement worker. For over 30 years he was a coordinator for Toys for Tots and a Sir Knight 4th degree P.G.K. Johnnie was an avid hunter, fisherman, as well as football and baseball fan. He loved the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Braves. He is preceded in death by his Johnnie’s parents, Jeffie Phillips and Martha Slater Philips; his siblings, Dorothy, Mary-Alice, Vera, JT, Charlie, Ligie and Paul Jr. Phillips He is survived by his wife, Margarita Phillips; his children, Johnnie Jr. and Jacquelyn Phillips, Loretta and Ken Pasley, Agnes and Gary Travis, Martha and Lester Hagerdon, and Teresa Phillips; his grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jacobs Phillips, Brandy Williams, Keith and Brett Travis, Gerald Burnett, and Christopher and Kevin Hagerdon; his great grandchildren, Alovra Godwin, Jada and Brody Tenore, Savannah Williams, Corey, Skylar, Brittney, Haley, Sydney Hagerdon, Taryn, Michael, Daelyn, and Katie Burnett; and his beloved pet, Buster Phillips. The family would like to thank Dr. Jalal, Memorial ICU Staff, St. Joseph Hospice, Kare in Home, and Memorial Stone County Rehab. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any of the following organizations; Tunnel-2-Tower Foundation (www.tunnel2towers.org); Wounded Warriors (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=6794&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS19001&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1264110&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_bGqumN5wIVUv_jBx1kRgwiEAAYASABEgIvAPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds); Purple Heart (https://www.purpleheartpickup.org/purpleheart/donate-to-charity); Toys for Tots (https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/forms/simple/Default.aspx) Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 20, 2020 at 2:00 PM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Wiggins, Mississippi; where friends may visit two hours prior to the Mass. Pall bears are Keith and Brett Travis, Jacob Phillips, Gerald Burnett, and Christopher and Kevin Hagerdon. Officiant is Father Patty Mockler. Interment will be Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 2:30 PM at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, Mississippi is in charge of the arrangements. 228-865-0090