Scott Phillips had been a staple in the Marion County community for many years.
Phillips, an attorney and Columbia High School booster, died Sunday at 56 after battling cancer for more than eight years.
“Scott and I moved into town as young lawyers around the same time,” 15th Judicial District Attorney Hal Kittrell said. “We were always in touch. Scott was very unique. He knew everybody. I watched him go places and introduce himself to everybody. He never met a stranger and he always remembered them.”
Kittrell said Phillips had other qualities that made him a large part of the Marion County community.
“He was very gracious,” Kittrell said. “He was also a hard worker. His illness never stood in his way. We helped him in youth court, but his spirits were always up. I always respected him. He’s going to be missed. He was a fixture in the community. When he came into a room, you knew it. He always had a genuine interest in people. His spirit was amazing. He’ll be missed by not only the Marion County Bar Association, but by Marion County in general.”
Phillips was an Ole Miss grad and a fan of Columbia High School, where his children attended.
“He loved sports,” Kittrell said. “He loved to be involved at Columbia High School. He was an amazing man.”
Fellow attorney Joe Shepard said that Phillips commanded respect.
“He and I practiced in some of the same areas of law,” he said. “He’s going to be missed, not only by the legal community, but by the people of Marion County. He had served as county prosecutor for several terms. I got to know Scott when he moved to Columbia to open his practice. I got to know him well, he really cared for people. He had a genuine interest.”
Phillips also had another side, according to Shepard.
“He had a very unique sense of humor,” he said. “At first, you didn’t know how to take him. He was a really funny guy. His humor will definitely be missed.”
Phillips, in a 2012 interview with The Columbian-Progress, said that he was diagnosed with cancer on Jan. 13, 2009.
“I’ve been undergoing treatment ever since,” he said at the time. “I had chemo last Wednesday and I’ll have it again next Wednesday. It’s been difficult at times.”
Phillips also said that the support during his battle was appreciated.
“I’ve gotten a lot of support from family and friends,” he said. “Columbia is a ‘good’ place to have cancer. They take care of you and your family.”
Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan said she will miss Phillips and his visits to the Marion County Courthouse.
“I thought the world of him and appreciated the way he gave back to the community and the school,” she said.
Phillips’ visitation is set from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the funeral at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
