Philip Ransom Humphreys

Philip Ransom Humphreys, 73, passed away Tuesday at Greeneville Community Hospital.

He was a 1970 graduate of South Greene High School. When he was in Mr. Kline Jones marketing class, he began working at Burger Chef, where Philip made many friends. When Burger Chef closed, he moved with them to Dairy Queen and eventually to Food City on the Asheville Highway. He was there many years, receiving an Award for Perfect Attendance in 2018. He made many new friends in his customer service job. While working there, he was also employed at our local YMCA, where he probably did more socializing than working. All of this while being a 33-year cancer survivor.

Philip was affectionately called "Uncle" Philip by his family, as not to confuse him with another Philip in the family. He loved Christmas. He spent much of his time and money buying gifts through the summer, taking his treasures home and wrapping them. Often his presents brought joy and laughter as they were opened at Christmas.

Philip attended First Church of God on West Main Street from birth until his health deteriorated. He enjoyed the many senior citizen trips with the First Church of God "Joy Group." Philip loved eating out, especially breakfast and "Pals" food from the Commons where he could meet and greet everyone who knew him. His family noted that they would often ask him who that person was, and mostly he would not know or recall their name, but, as he would say, "they know me".

Philip loved football, especially University of Tennessee, much of his clothing was monogrammed with VOLS logo and he rarely missed a televised game. His other team to watch was the Dallas Cowboys on a Sunday afternoon. He and his Mom could often be found on the front porch of their home commenting on the speed of passing vehicles or how nice the weather was.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents: Ransom and Maxine Humphreys; and his beloved niece: Laura Humphreys.

Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law: Eddie and Linda Humphreys; a nephew: Philip Lane Humphreys and his wife, Rachel Austin Humphreys; his great-nieces: Addison Lane Humphreys and Gracie Ruth Humphreys; dear friends: Joe and Kathy Austin; a  special friend: Shaun Lister; and a neighbor: Mary Garland.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the Doughty-Stevens Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Rudd officiating.

Burial will be in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will include Ronnie Rippetoe, Matt Rippetoe, Aaron Austin, Joe Austin, Bobby Scott, and Tim Ward.