Mr. Randy Phillips

Northport Funeral & Cremation Service family extends our warmest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Randy Phillips. Mr. Phillips passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, AL. 

Randy Michael “Maynard” Phillips, 68, passed away June 29th, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Avis and Freeman Phillips, and brother Ronnie Phillips. He is survived by his children, Micah Bruce Phillips (Tuscaloosa) and Matthew Alan “Wash” Phillips (Lacee) (Tuscaloosa), their mother, Deborah Phillips Hurst (George) (Tuscaloosa), his grandchild Sebastian Phillips (Tuscaloosa), his brothers and sister, Eddie Phillips (Greer, SC), Stan Phillips (Stonewall, MS), Tammy Phillips Caldwell (Kevin) (Bailey, MS), his dear friend Sue Burrell (Warner Robins, GA), and Lisa, Jack, and Ryan Alford (Tuscaloosa), as well as a community of family and friends who loved him.

Randy was born January 27, 1956, in Stonewall Mississippi, the third of five children. He Graduated from Enterprise High School (1974) and attended Meridian Junior College (1976) and went on to attend Mississippi State University, earning bachelor’s and master’s Degrees in psychology and Rehab Counseling (1979 and 1981).

On August 20, 1983, he married Deborah Bruce and they lived in Meridian until 1984 when they moved to Birmingham. Their son, Micah was born December 17, 1984. They moved to Tuscaloosa in 1985, and welcomed their second child, Wash, on November 18, 1987. When the kids were young, they enjoyed fishing together and as they grew older they often watched Mississippi State and Alabama sports together. Randy enjoyed hiking, with Wash and Randy joining the Alfords for trips on the Appalachian trail. He and Micah loved to eat at Los Tarascos in Tuscaloosa and watching football together. Randy was deeply proud of his children, and was even more proud to welcome his only grandchild, Sebastian, on July 12, 2018.

Randy was employed at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services as a senior counselor for over thirty years, retiring in 2018. During his tenure, he assisted thousands of people with disabilities to overcome limitations and find meaningful employment. He was recognized as an early authority on supported employment and mentored countless new counselors on service provision. He was a founding board member of the Alabama Association for Persons Supporting Employment First, and worked with that organization to train and develop new employment options until his retirement. He was also a board member and tireless volunteer at the Arc of Tuscaloosa County. Rehabilitation was not only his job, but it was also a lifelong commitment.

So many of his friends and colleagues knew him as someone who was always there when guidance or support was needed. He was often heard to say, “I’ve got your back”, and everyone knew Randy meant it, and showed it in a thousand ways when someone needed him.

Memorial Services will be held July 13th at 10:00 AM at Stonewall Methodist Church in his hometown of Stonewall, MS with private burial following. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of West Alabama.

"Fare you well, Fare you well, I love you more than words can tell."

Compassionate, sympathetic, and professional service has been entrusted to the hands and care of the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Professional Team.