Robert Eugene Phipps, 90, of Martinsville, (King's Grant Community) died on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He was born on July 4, 1926 in Kingston, W.Va. (Fayette Co.) to the late Enoch H. Phipps and Clara Elliott Phipps. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-seven years, Helen Doris Hopkins Phipps; sister, Betty Lou Phipps Briscoe; brother, Charles Lee Phipps; and granddaughter, Emily King Holly.

He graduated from Alderson High School, Alderson, W.Va. in 1944, West Virginia Institute of Technology, BS Ind. Ed. in 1950 and the University of Maryland, MEd in 1951.

Mr. Phipps served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944-1946 in the South Pacific aboard the USS LSM 393 as Petty Officer 3rd Class Electrician.

Mr. Phipps had held numerous positions in the educational field during his professional career in Fairfax Co. Public Schools last of which was the principalship at W. T. Woodson High School in Fairfax. He began his career in Fairfax Co. in 1950 and retired August 1, 1981. He was involved in educational programs and training during his career and also had received awards including Superboss, Fairfax Association of Educational Secretaries, 1981; Alumnus of the Year, West Virginia institute of Technology, 1967 and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He was honored to have been selected as a Virginia State Cultural Laureate for education. He had served as Chairman of Board of Directors of the Patrick Henry Community College in Henry County.

He had been a member of many civic organizations and had held public elected offices in communities that he had lived. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #70 Alderson, WV, as well as a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and USS LSM-LSMR Association. Mr. Phipps was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Martinsville, VA and enjoyed woodworking, and restoring antique cars.

Surviving are his children, Linda Leigh Phipps King and her husband, Dr. Joseph S. King of Radford, Robert Eugene Phipps Jr. and his wife, Med Scott Phipps of Haw River, N.C. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dr. Kathryn King Cristaldi and husband, Joseph James Cristaldi, Christopher Sterling King, Margaret Kerr Phipps and Robert Scott Phipps; also one great-granddaughter, Emily Virginia "Eva" Cristaldi.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, Martinsville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Hawfields Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mebane, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sunnyside Communities, 600-L University Boulevard, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3763, King's Grant Fellowship Fund, 350 Kings Way Road, Martinsville, VA 24112 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 308 Craghead St., Danville, VA 24541.

Norris Funeral Services Inc. and Crematory Martinsville, VA is serving the Phipps family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com