On September 3, 2025, Johnnie Phillips (85) passed away peacefully in the care of Lake Prince Woods and Trinity Hospice. He was born on March 24, 1940, in Norlina, North Carolina and moved to Norfolk County (Portsmouth), Virginia at an early age with his parents. In 1958, he graduated from Cradock High School and then attended Frederick Military College. At Cradock, he was President of the Christophers Hi-Y Club and Vice-President of the Diversified Occupation Club; and at Frederick, he was an officer in charge of a platoon of fellow cadets. During the following 10 years, he worked at Sears Roebuck & Company in Portsmouth, where he managed various sales departments. After leaving Sears, he attended Old Dominium University for three years and graduated cum laude in 1971. At Old Dominium University, he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity and was the President of his pledge class.

After graduating from Old Dominium University, Johnnie was hired by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), where he worked for nearly 30 years. At GAO, he led many audits resulting in numerous reports to the U.S. Congress on waste, fraud, and abuse. Along with other co-workers, he was credited with developing a new approach for best practices methodology for improving government operations.

Johnnie greeted everyone with a smile. He was a good provider for his family. He lived his life centered on his family and he took great pride and joy in participating in his children's and grandchildren's activities. He loved good food, some music, world history, and working in his yard. He was of the Baptist faith. He was baptized at an early age and again as an adult with his wife of 64 years (Arlene Maxson Phillips).

Johnnie was predeceased by his parents, McKay and Hattie Stegall Phillips, and by his brother, Gordon McKay Phillips. He is survived by his wife and their two children, John Michael Phillips and his wife Betsy, and Melissa Phillips Meyers and her husband Greg; three grandchildren, Meghan Phillips, Zachary Meyers, and Sarah Meyers; a sister, Donna Watts and her husband, Anthony; a brother-in-law, Ron Maxson and his wife Judy; a sister-in-law, Terri Phillips (Gordon's wife); and a host of nieces and nephews.

Johnnie's family will hold a private service to honor his life. Friends and loved ones are invited to share condolences online at www.parrfuneralhome.com or to make a donation in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation. Your kind words and support mean so much to the family during this time of remembrance.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.