Dr. Wendell E. Phillips Jr.

Wendell Everett Phillips, Jr. MD of Roswell, died in his home on June 29 surrounded by his family. He was born to the late Ermine “Dimp” Bagley and Wendell Everett “Red” Phillips, Sr. on 8/11/41 at Crawford W. Long Hospital in Atlanta. He grew up in Alpharetta, graduating in 1959 from Milton High School where he was captain of the football team, a member of the State Region Champion Basketball Team, Editor of the “Aerie” (yearbook) and editor of the School Echoes (newspaper). In 1963, he graduated from Clemson College with a Pre-Med degree. He went on to the Medical College of SC in Charleston, SC; then completed his internship at the Medical Center in Columbus, GA, and his OB-GYN Residency at the Macon Hospital in Macon, GA. After serving in the Army for two years, he started his OB-GYN practice in Roswell and joined Northside Hospital as one of the first ten OB-GYN’s on staff. During his 39 years of practice, he served two terms as Chief of Staff at Shallowford Community Hospital in Dunwoody and delivered over 3,000 babies. Wendell’s community involvement was as follows: helped start the North Fulton branch of the American Cancer Society (serving as President and Chairman of the Board), a Charter member of the GA Ensemble Theater, a member of the Roswell Historical Society, and on the Board of the Independent High School Child Development Center. He was an avid Clemson Tiger fan, loved playing golf, enjoyed traveling, and especially delighted in attending the many activities of his grandchildren. He is survived by his grade school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Nancy Henderson Phillips, his son, Wendell E. Phillips III (Kim) and daughter, Dee Gillespie, his five grandchildren: Jack, Caroline, and Colin Phillips and Ainsley and Gabrielle Gillespie, all of Roswell. Other survivors are his brother, Tommy Phillips MD (Laura), his niece, LeGette P. Shirley (Adam), and his nephew, Thomas W. Phillips Jr. MD(Karen), plus cousins. Wendell was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Roswell where he helped to start International Medical Missions in Mexico, the Amazon region in Brazil, and Nakuru, Kenya. His love and service to the Kenyan people was his passion. His strong faith and unwavering desire to serve others was an inspiration to so many people. Visitation will be held from 5-8pm, Friday June 30, at Northside Chapel in Roswell, GA. Funeral services will be at 11am on Saturday, July 1 at First Baptist of Roswell with members of the International Medical Mission Team and Fellowship Sunday School Class being honorary escorts. Internment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Roswell. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Baptist Church of Roswell, Kenya Medical Missions, 710 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell 30075.

Dr. Wendell E. Phillips Jr.

August 11, 1941 - June 29, 2017