Dr. Wesley Fletcher Phillips, M.D.

Wesley F. Phillips, MD, of Kernersville, NC, died November 14, 2026. He was 89, full of hope and faith.

Dr. Phillips was a much-beloved family doctor and Wake Forest School of Medicine clinical professor serving the Kernersville community for 36 years. Wes was born on March 7, 1937, to the late Hannah (Schendel) and the Reverend W. Roy Phillips in Asheboro, NC. He attended high school at the Academy of Southern Pilgrim College. Wes graduated with honors from Greenville University, Greenville, IL. He received his medical education from Wake Forest School of Medicine, formerly Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

After a medical internship at Madigan General Hospital in Fort Lewis, Washington Dr. Phillips completed his army officer training at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Then he was assigned to the Navy for naval flight surgeon training at Pensacola FL, after which he was re-assigned back to the army for U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Captain Phillips served his country as part of the U.S. Army Mission in pre-revolution Iran.

In 1966, Wes and his brother-in-law Leo Record, Jr partnered in the soon-thriving Kernersville Family Practice, today known as Novant Kernersville Family Practice. In addition to caring for those who came to the office, they provided hospital care, delivered babies, and made house calls to those patients in need, endearing them throughout the community until his retirement.

Wes was an active member of the Kernersville Jaycees, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a local director of the former Northwestern Bank. He served as vice-chairman of Wesleyan Arms, a former rest and retirement home in High Point. For over 40 years, Wes served as a Member and Treasurer of Clyde Dupin Outreach Ministries, Kernersville, NC. He traveled with them overseas for crusades where he served medically as well as lead people to Christ.

Wes was ever the faithful churchman. He counts as one of his greatest joys teaching the men’s Sunday school class for 25 years at First Wesleyan in High Point, where he served on the church board. A close second to teaching, he enjoyed singing in choirs and different ensembles. In 1968, on the general church level, he represented the North Carolina District of Pilgrim Holiness Church as its Banner Bearer at the church’s merger with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Subsequently, he represented the North Carolina East District of the Wesleyan Church four times at its General Conference held every four years. Also, Wes served as a Trustee of John Wesley College and, for 25 years, sat on the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, Greenville University.

One of his hobbies was classic cars and at his core, Wes was a gearhead. He prized ‘57 classic T-Birds.

Wes married Patsy Darlyne Stamey in 1957. She preceded his death in 2022, as did their son Wesley Fletcher Philips II in 1974. In 2024, he found love again and married his lifelong friend Jane Green Baker. They pledged to walk out the rest of their years together hand in hand. Jane’s care and support was invaluable as she was by his side to the very end. He is survived by his cherished children, Michelle Ledbetter and her husband Greg of High Point, Brian Phillips and his wife Nancy of Titusville, FL., Renee’ Minner and her husband Craig of Kernersville, and Wesley Phillips III and his wife Christine of Moneta, VA and 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as Jane’s children, Susan Baker, Valerie Shepherd and her husband Christian, and Walter Baker, III and his wife Rose, and their six grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Leuola Beck and Ernstena Parker Wood. A special thank you to his close friend Rev. Jay Clark. A special thanks to those who cared for Dr. Phillips at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Hospice of the Piedmont Triad.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of his life, which will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at 12:00 pm at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. The Rev. Travis Shannon and the Rev. Brian Matherlee will be officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wes's name to Greenville University, 315 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246 or Victory Mountain Youth Camp at 3594 Youth Camp Rd. Sophia, NC 27350.

Wesley Phillips’ legacy of love and service runs deep, and we can only begin to imagine the ripple effect it will have on generations to come through his faithful walk with Jesus Christ.