Joel Barry Phillips

Joel Barry Phillips, age 70, passed away on October 17, 2025.

He was born in the winter of 1955 in FB Clark Hospital, in Austell, to tiny Annie Lucille and husband Johnny Phillips Jr.

Joel was such a big baby that his mother declared "That's not my baby!". The nurse promptly replied that he was the only baby born in the hospital that day!

Joel was not only big in stature all his life but big in heart. He loved his blue-eyed girl, Bonnie, and his sweet Rosie, Morgan.

He adored his big family, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and his sweet sister Liz and big brother James. Everyone reading this: you were family too!

After a long day of work, his evening conversations were full of love & laughter about his customers and friends.

He was an artist as a landscape designer, passionate about every project. Who doesn't remember when his arms started sweeping skyward, he looked like a conductor creating a symphony from a big dry patch of ground.

He learned to be a master carpenter under his uncle Jimmy who filled the gap after his dad died when he was 15.

Music was also his passion, especially 70's and any era of country. Darius Rucker was always playing on the way to the doctor and hospital visits, lifting his spirits as we sang along.

Did anyone say cars? Classic cars, fast cars with souped up engines, washing and polishing cars. He loved beautiful cars.

He loved life and always found a positive angle for every problem - our prayer is that everyone carries on his big, beautiful love & passion for life.

He never met a stranger and always talked freely of his love of God to anyone who'd listen.

Thank you for loving him and being there for all of us, as our hearts begin to mend.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta, Georgia.