Cleve Elwood Phipps, 79, of Crab Orchard, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Bowers Hospice House. Born April 11, 1933 in Crab Orchard, he was the son of the late Cleve and Laura Snuffer Phipps. Cleve was a former driver for Egnor Monument Co. and retired from Dupont after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Oak Grove Christian Church where he served as deacon for 50 years and also served as Sunday school teacher and trustee. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Crab Orchard Hunting Club. Following his retirement he bought and repaired antique clocks and furniture. Cleve was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, 44th Tank Battalion.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Maudie Phipps, Argyle Price and Mildred Vest and father-in-law, James Tolbert.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann Tolbert Phipps; sons, David Kelly Phipps and wife Kim of Harrisburg, PA and Daniel Elliott Phipps and wife Lori of Charleston, WV; daughter, Kimberly Ann White and husband Doug of Crab Orchard; grandchildren, David and Josh White of Crab Orchard, Brooke Phipps of Harrisburg, PA, Mallory Braenovich of Charleston, WV; sisters, Freda Cook and husband Dick and Jane Riffe and husband Tracy all of Beckley; brother, Charles Phipps and wife Janice of Statesville, NC; mother-in-law, Dorothy Tolbert of Beckley; sister-in-law, June Goss and husband Ronald of Jonesboro, TN and several beloved nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 2, 2012 at the Oak Grove Christian Church with Pastors Kelly Gowen and Ken Hawes officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the Calfee Funeral Home from 6-9 p.m. Saturday and at the church one hour prior to service on Sunday.
Pallbearers will be Rick and Randy Cook, John Phipps, Jonathan Goss, Josh and David White.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Oak Grove Christian Church, 273 Oak Grove Rd., Beckley, WV 25801 or to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Dr., Beckley, WV 25801.
On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.