Phillip Rodney Lewis, 36, passed peacefully Sunday morning, September 4, 2022, due to cardiac illness. Phillip, a Wayne County native, was a member of Jesup First Baptist Church, graduated from Wayne County High School in 2004 and the University of Georgia in 2009 with a degree in agricultural biological science. Phillip had the benefit of a career with the Veterans Healthcare Administration, the world's largest healthcare system.

Phillip was born in 1986 and participated in many sports through his youth. He was a charter member of one of Wayne County's original travel soccer teams, The Eagles, alongside many of his friends that he maintained through life. In high school, Phillip was known as the "throw-in guy" due to his ability to launch throw-ins deep into the field of play! He also enjoyed tennis as a member of the Wayne County High School team, and disc golf later in life. Phillip loved working with rescue animals, helping take care of dogs awaiting foster homes, as well as two feral cats that he and Melissa adopted. Phillip enjoyed hobbies such as books, comics, video games, and movies, with an impressive mental catalog of trivia and quotes from almost every genre. He also enjoyed cooking, sparing no expense or effort for crafting up sandwiches, regardless of the hour. His 10pm paninis with au jus dip and 5-cheese grilled sandwiches were favorites among his family. Another favorite, and personal must, was a trip to Pizza Inn when he and his brothers got together for weekends and holidays in Jesup. Phillip will be remembered by his family and loved ones for his genuine sweet demeanor and his love for helping, even if it bought a couple of grumbles or quips along the way. When it came to firing up the grill for dinner and a movie night in, there was no better companion than Phillip. His father, Gary Lewis, preceded him in death along with his maternal grandparents, Gene "Buzzy" and Shirley Jones, and his paternal grandparents, Elmer and Janell Lewis; aunt, Cheryl Deloach, uncle, Rodney Jones, and nephew, Owen Dorsey.

Phillip is survived by his mother and her husband, Marissa Jones Wilcher and Lew Wilcher; his long-term girlfriend and love, Melissa Perez; his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Judson Lewis and Emily Barnett and Victor Lewis and Jeniann Yi; his niece, Clara Sohui Lewis, whom he adored, as well as aunts, Trina Dorsey, Tina Broach, and uncles, Gary Dorsey and Larry Broach, along with several cousins.

A celebration of Phillip's life will be held 11 AM Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Family will  receive friends at 10 AM at the funeral home.  To "suit" Phillip's dress code, we will dress casual….maybe not his favorite "gym shorts & t-shirt", but informal!. Honorary pallbearers are his close dude friends and fellow Eagles team members.

In memory of Philip, please consider donating to animal rescue: wags-rescue.org and peachstateanimalrescue.org.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.