With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of my father, your brother and friend Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Phillips, of Connelly Springs. Who was found on April 5, 2025 after being missing since February 20, 2025.

Preceded in death by his mother Janice Brown Phillips and father Cecil Phillips. Kenny, the middle son, was born March 12th 1964 at 7:14 p.m. in Catawba County at the Hickory Memorial Hospital, which later evolved into Catawba Valley Medical Center. His unexpected passing comes as a shock to all of us. He turned 61 while he was missing. So while we grieve his passing, let’s also celebrate his life here. “Enjoy the little things for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.” Kenny was married and divorced at a young age of 19. I believe in 1985, Kenny met Melanie Abernathy and on October 7, 1988 gave birth to Kenny’s one and only son, Keith Ray Phillips. Kenny loved his son, Keith, and showed it the only way he knew how. He learned a major life lesson taught at the time, and that was that your individual actions will always have consequences, and those consequences were yours alone. Kenny enjoyed going to music concerts when he was younger. He loved rock music. With time and age passing by it became country music. Kenny was a sweet, fun, and kind soul who was willing to lend a helping hand. He particularly enjoyed hiking at South Mountain State Park. He talked everyday with his older brother who was closest in age, Randy Phillips, who loves and will miss him dearly.  Steven Phillips, the youngest of the three brothers will always remember the infectious laugh Kenny would genuinely give. Kenny would laugh and you would want to laugh at Kenny laughing. He was a member of Gloryland Baptist Church. He lived a vibrant life and still had so much ahead of him and it was taken far too soon. I lost my beloved dad. Many have lost a friend and a loved one in him.

He’s deeply missed and survived by his son Keith Ray Phillips and his brothers Randy and Steven Phillips.

A service of remembrance will be held Friday, April 11th, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with Reverend Tony Childers officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 Friday at Heritage Funeral Service at 1507 Main Street East Valdese, North Carolina 28690.

An online obituary and guest book is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com

****This short passage was found in Kenneth’s belongings, and I wanted to share it.***

“One day at a time”

Some day when you’re feeling down, and your life is like a merry-go-round. When you reach for a coin and have only a token, And find that your marriage is all but broken, And your child that loves you so very dear, often sheds a lot of tears.

Maybe someday you’ll find it in your heart, that you really want to make a new start. When you decide that you want a life, that is fine, learn to live, “one day at a time.”

When you feel you’ve reached the very end and want forgiveness for your sins. Just ask help for our “Father” above, and God will send you all of his love.

If your “Faith in God” is sincere, then there’s really nothing to fear.

Just ask for his help in walking that thin line, and learn to live one day at a time.

Just remember it’s all up to you. You have to decide. It’s what you really want to do. If you really want to make amends, chest party with your family and friends. Please help your child stop all his tears, and help him forget all of his fears.

Just remember your life can be fine, if you learn to live “one day at a time.”