Obituary of Ranny Phillips

Marvin Randolph �Ranny� Phillips, 73, of Trillium Ridge, Boone, died Saturday May 1,, 2010 at Watauga Medical Center. Born December 3, 1936 in Sumter County, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Marvin Ravenel Phillips and Emma Christine Goodman Phillips. Mr. Phillips graduated from Sherwood High School where he served as Senior Class President, President of Future Farmers of America and Captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. Ranny was selected to be a catcher for the 1955 all-state baseball team. The team went on to win the South Carolina State Championship that same year. Ranny attended Wingate College on a full baseball scholarship and later attended Appalachian State University, formally known as Appalachian State Teachers College where he obtained a BS in Physical Education and Social Studies in 1960. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was in the Army Reserve for six years. Ranny received North Carolina�s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, from Governor Hunt in 1985, for his work as board member to the North Carolina Board of Transportation. Ranny was co-owner of a real-estate company, insurance company and building supply company. He was also involved in property development and management. He was active in local, state and national politics through the Democratic Party. He served as chairman and treasurer of Watauga County Democratic Party. He also served as a campaign manager for President Carter, Governor James Hunt and Pat Taylor. Ranny was Chairperson of the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Commission for eight years, served on the board of trustees for Appalachian State University for five years, co-founder and chairperson of the Alcohol Drug Council for Watauga Country, Chairperson and local board member for NationsBank (NCNB), Board of Advisors to Lees McRae Junior College and was a member of the Boone Jaycees and Kiwanis Club. Surviving are his wife, Anna Boyce Phillips of Boone; one daughter, Elizabeth Phillips; two sons, David Randolph Phillips and wife Tiana Phillips of Boone, Stephen Gordon Phillips of Boone; three grandchildren, Meagan Phillips of Raleigh, Daniel Phillips and Jordon Phillips of Boone; mother-in-law, Iva Dean Winkler; sister-in-law Barbara Dunnigan and husband Bob Dunnigan; one brother, Kent Phillips and wife Marsha Phillips of Columbia South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Clark Phillips and Anna Dell Green both of Lynchburg South Carolina; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Alan Phillips and Edwards Phillips both of Lynchburg South Carolina. Memorial services for Marvin Randolph Phillips will be conducted Wednesday, May 5, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Roy Dobyns Jr. Graveside services and burial will be private. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 o�clock until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. The family respectfully requests no food, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 375 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607, to the M. Randolph and Anna Boyce Phillips Minority Presence Endowed Scholarship at Appalachian State University, ASU PO Box 32007, Boone, NC 28608, or to a charity of the donor�s choice.