James Earl Phillips was born March 3, 1946 to Voncile (Phillips) Warner in Jackson, Mississippi. He made his eternal beginning on March 11, 2021 peacefully at home just as he always desired.  He attended Pearly Grove Baptist Church as a child with his Grandmother where he started his relationship with the Lord. James attended Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1967.  In 1968, he met and married Barbara Jean Brown (who preceded him in death) Barbara and James were blessed to be the proud parents of two beautiful and loving children Leonard T. Phillips and Rosalyn Phillips Lynch. James was a man of very few words, and he lived his life the way he saw fit.

James worked at FanSteel Excast in Addison, Il until the plant closed in or around 2000.  He later became a Chicago Public School Crossing Guard until his health began to decline in 2007.

James leaves to cherish his memory his 2 children Leonard (Marlissa) Phillips  Atlanta Ga, and Rosalyn (Terry Sr) Phillips-Lynch  Dolton, Il; 6 grandchildren Nicholette Phillips Chicago Il , Terry Lynch II, Seminole Ok; Lindsey Phillips Birmingham Al; Leslie Phillips Atlanta, Ga; Leah Phillips  Atlanta, Ga; & Trinity Lynch Dolton, Il , 2 great granddaughter, Iyanna Willingham Chicago, Il; and Khloe Phillips of Seminole, OK; sister Paulette (Bobby) Perkins of Chicago, Il: brother Horace (Felecia) Warner of Chicago, Il; 3 nieces Chanelle Bates, Janelle Sain, & Janeisha Warner and a host of great nieces, nephews. great-great nephews as well as a host of many cousins.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Voncile (Richard) Warner.