Gary Savoy Phillips, 38, of Berrydale, Florida, left us to be with Jesus on Saturday, December 12, 2015, around 7:00 a.m. He will be greatly missed; and was a sweet, gentle soul, and had beautiful smile and heart that will never be forgotten.

Gary was born November 7, 1977, to Jerry Savoy Phillips Sr. and Betty Gayle Stenger. He was born and raised in Berrydale. He and his sister were dedicated to the Lord at the Berrydale New Beginnings Pentecostal Church where he and his family attended. This was a great honor to Gary. His early years were spent playing outside or in the woods. He spent countless hours with his Daddy (Jerry Sr.) learning how to hunt and catch anything that skipped, hopped, jumped, swam or flew. He absolutely loved nature, God, his family, and just being in the woods. He was the first born son of Jerry Sr. and Gayle. He started school at Fidelis School and met many new friends. Gary had a great personality and was easy to get along with so that wasn't surprising that he made friends right away. He went on to attend school at Jay High.

Gary is preceded in death by his great-grandmother and great-grandfather, Eli and Sadie Phillips; grandfather, Jarrell Savoy Phillips; and grandparents, Comer M Brooks and Lillian M Brooks.

He is survived by grandmother, Clarice Simmons; father, Jerry Phillips Sr.; mother, Betty Gayle Stenger; sister, Brandy Phillips; and three brothers, Jerry “Lil Jerry” Phillips Jr., Glenn Phillips, and Jeremiah Phillips.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Berrydale New Beginnings Pentecostal Church. Visitation from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., prior to the service. Minister Valeria Bryant, a close family friend, will officiate the services. Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, directing.

Gary will be laid to rest next to his older cousin, Donald Phillips Jr, whom he loved very much and “looked up to” while growing up. He will rest in Simmons Cemetery in the peaceful woods of the Blackwater State Forest, surrounded by the beauty of nature, which he loved, and was thankful for since he was a very young boy. May you rest in peace, Gary. Pallbearers will be Jon, Garret, Michael, Ty, Tommy and Billy.

The family would like to thank everyone who has shown support during this difficult time. The love and prayers we have received have been overwhelming and they mean so much.