Ernest Phillips

Ernest Phillips (1941-2019) was a Scott County Commissioner who was at one time the county’s longest-serving commissioner.

Biography

Born Jan. 29, 1941 in the New River community south of Huntsville, Ernest Phillips was the son of Floyd Phillips, and Ellen and Bernard Brummett. 

After graduating from Huntsville High School, Phillips served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, earning the rank of sergeant. 

Phillips married Betty Sue Gosnell (1942-2014), and had five children: Tiffany Phillips, Tina Jeffers, Mark Watters, Mike Watters and Chris Phillips. 

Phillips was an active member of New River Missionary Baptist Church.

Professional Life

After his service in the U.S. Army, Phillips worked for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He was named Officer of the Year in 1999. 

Phillips was elected to Scott County Commission in 1990. He was re-elected six times and served 28 years in that role, until his health forced him to retire in 2018. At the time, he was the longest-serving commissioner in Scott County’s history. That mark was later bested by Mike Slaven, but Phillips remains the second-longest-serving commissioner in the county’s history.

Death

Phillips died on Nov. 9, 2019 at Summit View Nursing Home in Rocky Top, Tenn., at the age of 78. A funeral service was conducted three days later at New River Missionary Baptist Church with his brother, Kermit Phillips, and Kyle Keeton officiating. He was buried at the Cut Cemetery in Helenwood.

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