Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Remembering the Little Giant – Bigger than Life – Ernie Phillips

Kingsmen with Ernie Phillips and Squire Parsons

Ernie Phillips was the son of the late Vernon and Pauline Phillips of Cool Ridge, West Virginia. A 1968 graduate of Shady Spring High School, he received the “Citizen of the Year” award. He also received a scholarship to Beckley College, where he received an A. B. A. Degree in Business Administration. Phillips later attended the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Charleston, West Virginia, where he received a Certificate of Achievement.

Ernie Phillips accepted Christ at an early age and he loved the Lord. His love of family, church, and Southern gospel music ministry, was only matched by his love and dedication to country. He was one of the good guys. You could tell by his walk and talk he knew his daily path was ordered and rooted in his faith.

Ernie Phillips

Phillips served in the military from 1970 to 1973 in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Baumholder, Germany. While in Germany, he worked as a Missile Repair Parts Specialist and Radio Relay Technician, which resulted in an Army Commendation Medal for working two jobs at the same time. After military service, Phillips worked at the V.A. Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, as a Supply Specialist and Warehouseman.

Kingsmen on stage with Ernie Phillips

Upon his return from military service, this tenor’s love of Southern gospel quartet music began to grow even more. Phillips sang with several local church groups from Beckley for a period of five years. He joined a popular gospel quartet, The Crossmen, from Beckley, in 1975, and sang tenor with them on weekends for two years.

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