James Calvin Phillips

James Calvin Phillips, Sr. 93, of Cabot, jumped into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. As the chaplain was praying and he was surrounded by his family, he peacefully took his last breath. James was born March 23, 1928 in England, Ark., to the late Benjamin and Sammie Phillips. He was the youngest of six children and from his stories, he was an adventurous and independent boy from a very early age. His adult life started with him being a taxi driver in Little Rock. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in New Mexico, working in radar technology. It was at the wedding of his older brother that he met the love of his life, Alma Poe. When he left the Air Force, they moved back to Little Rock with their son, James, Jr. He started delivering bread for Meyer's Bakery, which he did for about ten years. Arnold's Beauty Supply was his greatest job and seemed to give him great joy. He traveled between Little Rock and Northeast Arkansas, selling beauty supplies and equipment to shops along the way. His amazing smile, humor, and handsome face made it an easy job. At the age of fifty-five, he had to retire due to a heart issue. You see, he thought he only had a few years to live. They moved to the Rio Grande Valley area, where he helped "the older people" with their yards and running errands for them. He loved the social life that senior living brought. A big part of this senior life included playing in a band called Country Music Band. He loved singing and playing music and always had a smile on his face when doing so. After returning to Cabot, he continued to play music at nursing homes where, you guessed it, the women loved him. His positive attitude, joy, and smile were easy to love. He was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church. Sundays were important for him to hear the Word and get hugs and handshakes from his friends. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Alma; siblings, Alma Stanfill, Reva Wilson, Thelma Wilson, Eula Flynt, and Willard Phillips; son-in-law, Steven Manry; and granddaughter, Ashley Manry. Left to cherish his memory and miss his smile and love are his children, James Phillips, Jr. (Kathleen) of Burnsville, Minn., Lana Manry of Cabot, Sharon Siegrist (George) of Sheridan, and Kenneth Phillips (Grace) of Fort Smith; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends. James treated his grandchildren and great-grandchildren like they were precious diamonds. With his big smile, he would always say, "Thanks for coming to see grandpa". Visitation will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., with Brother Ben Leonard officiating. Interment will be 1 p.m. at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816. Please sign our online guestbook for the Phillips family at: www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.