REMEMBER, FOREVER

The memorial was held on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 at Christian Life Church in Hoover, AL

This is the transcript of the eulogy given by Josiah's sister Melissa Taylor at his service.

 

          Many of you knew my brother Josiah, and over the past few days, our family has learned just how many people he impacted in his 22 years. The outpouring of love and support we have received from the community this week is unmatched. So to the CLC, Briarwood, and Chick-fil-A communities and to everyone else who has shared a memory and a prayer, thank you. I don't know what we would do without you. And to Josiah's best friend Cooper, who he called a brother, thank you for being so strong in this time. You have been incredibly courageous, and I hope you know how loved you are.

          Josiah Louis Phillips was born Dec. 13, 2000, here in Birmingham, AL. He was the most friendly little boy you'll ever meet, and by his 1st birthday, he was an expert at eliciting smiles from perfect strangers he passed in public. Josiah was an excellent helper and tried hard to please. He is remembered as an intelligent child, but even more for being well-mannered and kind. He made it a personal goal to bring a smile to the face of each person he encountered and actively pursued this goal whenever he was out and about.

          In his childhood, he was always an excellent student in school and church. He was ready to recite verses and even chapters of the Bible from memory anytime. Josiah was always exceptionally aware of sounds. He wanted to know where each one came from, and as soon as he could talk, he started asking, "What dat sound, Mama?" 'about 50 times a day—this continued for multiple years.           Before Starting 5th grade at Briarwood, we had the opportunity to try out different instruments and then choose to participate in either choir or band. Josiah fell in love with the sound of the alto saxophone, and he was off to the races. He continued with the Briarwood band all the way through his senior year, participating in concert band, marching band, and jazz band over the years. During that time he was inseparable from many of his bandmates, and many of them have reached out this week to tell my mom and I how he made them laugh and could always make them feel better on hard days.

          What makes a loyal friend? Just ask those fortunate enough to be friends with Josiah Phillips. Throughout his life, his character was marked by compassion, empathy, and selfless kindness. He did his utmost to make the people around him feel welcomed and loved. He was protective of and devoted to his family and friends. He truly valued others and was blessed with a sensitivity that allowed him to see what people needed. He knew when to check on his friends and what to say or do when they needed him. He believed in people and lifted them up. 

          Josiah could make anyone laugh, he was so witty. He was a superfund of  The Office, as am I, and could all but quote every episode. His favorite line was, "My pleasure, my treasure," which he said often enough that it became part of his quirky charm.

          Josiah never lost his love of music and sound. In addition to playing in the band at school, he often worked in the sound booth at church as a volunteer and learned to operate the sound board. As a music listener, he was a true connoisseur. He listened to all genres, including several in other languages and curated playlists full of hours and hours of music. He actually listened to Spotify so much that they lost money on his subscription for several years (which is more than 6 hours per day). I'm sure many of you noticed that the music that played during visitation wasn't the most traditional music for a funeral or for a church, but it was Josiah. His “Perfect Songs” playlist is 10 hours and 38 minutes long, but it wouldn't be an adequate remembrance of Josiah without including the music he loved. Anytime there was an Opportunity, Josiah had just the right music to share, often loudly, for the occasion. 

          When Chick-fil-A the Grove opened in 2016, I started as a team member there with Anna Meyers and Ashley Wyatt, and Josiah soon joined the team as well. I moved away to college in 2017 before Cooper started there, but over their time working together Josiah, Cooper, Anna, Ashley, and several others became very close friends. They were together all the time. 

          After high school, Josiah went on to pursue a degree in Computer Science at Auburn University. He had some setbacks and difficulties there, but he demonstrated perseverance to finish his program on time. He graduated on May 5th, 2023, just six weeks ago, along with Cooper and Anna. He hoped to pursue sound engineering and production. 

          These four friends stayed so close throughout the past 4 years, despite living in different cities and pursuing different paths. They took trips together several times and were there for each other through all the ups and downs and travelled to attend each other's graduations.

          In life we are not promised an explanation, but we do know that our God is sovereign and he is always good. We each have a purpose, and for each of us he has appointed works of righteousness to walk in. Our dear loved ones have completed the race and our good father is holding them in his heart. They are safe now. They are loved forever. They don't have any more sadness or pain. We love you Josiah.

 

If you will, turn to the back of your program to read the poem printed there. My aunt found this, and it is just perfect.

 

A Child of Mine

By: Edgar Guest

I will lend you, for a little time,

A child of mine, He said.

For you to love the while he lives,

And mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years,

Or twenty-two or three.

But will you, till I call him back,

Take care of him for Me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,

And should his stay be brief.

You'll have his lovely memories,

As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,

Since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there,

I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over,

In search for teachers true.

And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,

I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,

Nor think the labour vain.

Nor hate me when I come

To take him home again?

I fancied that I heard them say,

'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!'

For all the joys Thy child shall bring,

The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness,

We'll love him while we may,

And for the happiness we've known,

Forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him,

Much sooner than we've planned.

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,

And try to understand.

​

          Thank you for coming here today to join us in remembering. We appreciate all of your love and support. He was a light to all of us and we will never forget his life.