Gene Dillard Phillips, 83, of Laurens, passed away October 9, 2013, at the Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community, where he had resided since 2011. Born December 15, 1929 in Woodruff to the late Paul Madison and Lillian Madora Phillips, Gene was missionary emeritus of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, having served 40 years in Zimbabwe, Africa. After retirement in 1996, he returned for short term ministry in several southern African countries. Rev. Phillips graduated from Woodruff High School and received the Associate of Arts from Mars Hill College, a Bachelor’s degree from Furman University, Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Etta Eugenia (Jean), three sons: Mark (Janice) of Blythewood; John of Columbia; and Paul (Shana) of Ft. Worth, Texas; a daughter, Beth Gestring (Wes) of South Africa; and 7 grandchildren: Danny Phillips of Columbia, Robin Phillips Richardson (Sean) of Conway, April Phillips of Easley, Jordan Gestring (Alyssa) of Sandy Springs, Bethany Gestring of Anderson, Michelle Gestring of South Africa, and Michal Phillips of Ft. Worth, Texas. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Bruce Hancock at First Baptist of Camden on Friday, October 11 at 2PM. Burial will follow in Quaker Cemetery, Camden. The family will receive visitors in the Fellowship Hall one hour prior to the services. There will also be a memorial service Saturday, October 12 at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community chapel conducted by Dr. Russell Dean, Chaplain of Martha Franks. Memorial gifts may be sent to the International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767; 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA, 23230-0767 or Lutheran Hospice, 429 N. Main St., Suite 3, Greenville, SC 29601.