PROFESSOR BURNS PURDIE PHILLIPS Jr. With the quiet death of Burns Purdie Phillips Jr. on September 10, 2009 the world lost a man kind of heart and generous nature. Burns was 86 years old born July 7, 1923 in Shelbyville, Tennessee to Alma Grubbs Phillips and Burns P. Phillips Sr. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Faye Kent Phillips of Watertown, Tennessee, his daughter and son-in-law, Candice and Jim Ousley of Paducah, Kentucky and his son and daughter-in-law Burns III and Sally Phillips of Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, he is survived by five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Burns graduated from Murfreesboro Central High School, where he was an athlete and scholar, in June, 1941 and attended the University of Tennessee briefly before joining the Marines in 1942. He was seriously wounded on the South Pacific Island of Peleliu, in September, 1944 while serving with the First Marines Division. After recovering from his wounds he returned to Murfreesboro in 1945 to resume his education at George Peabody College. After graduating he taught at Murfreesboro Central High School before becoming its assistant principal and then its principal. In 1959 he joined the staff of the Department of Mathematics at Middle Tennessee State University where he taught until retirement twenty-four years later in 1983. Burns was also the first president of the Murfreesboro Exchange Club. All his life Burns loved the outdoors deriving much pleasure from hunting, fishing, and water sports. He and Faye were practically residents of Cove Hollow boat dock on Center Hill Lake where they kept a houseboat for many years. Together on the lake they honed their water skiing and fishing skills while also making many loyal friends. Burns was a man of honesty and integrity. He was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather devoted to his wife Faye and their large family. We sure have a great family were words we always heard him speak at family gatherings. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be 4:00 till 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Monday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Dr. Larry Lewis and Lester Levi will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery with full Military Honors. Family and friends will serve as active pallbearers. Great grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. www.woodfinchapel.com (615) 893-5151.