Philip Eugene Hedges

North Augusta, SC - All praise to the Lord that His servant, Philip Eugene Hedges, 93, peacefully finished his earthly course and entered into his Savior’s presence July 7, 2026. The family will gratefully receive friends at Posey Funeral Directors Monday evening, July 13, from 5-7 p.m.. A funeral service of worship and remembrance will be conducted Tuesday morning, July 14, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, GA. Revs. Mike Hearon and John Barrett will officiate. Burial will follow at Pineview Memorial Gardens, North Augusta. Phil was born December 22, 1932, in Hornell, NY, to the late Artemis and Esther Hedges. He grew up quickly through the trials of losing his father at the age of 7 and by being placed in a tuberculosis hospital for two years at the age of 16. He accomplished the challenging task of graduating from Alfred University in New York with a master's degree in ceramic engineering in 1956 and moved to take a job in Pittsburgh, PA. There the Lord led him to attend First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, where he came to saving faith in Jesus, and in 1962 married the love of his life Nancy Jane Russell. That same year they moved to North Augusta, SC, for Phil to accept a position with Merry Brothers Brick and Tile Company. He happily applied his meticulous record-keeping and problem-solving skills and faithfully provided for his family for the rest of his work career. The newlyweds soon became members of First Presbyterian Church of Augusta and it became dear to them as their faith community for over six decades. Phil served the church faithfully in many capacities including as an elder, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and mentor. He was a pioneer in the audio ministry of the church, beginning the practice of recording John Oliver’s sermons on cassette tapes to be sent weekly to shut-ins and to missionaries all over the world. He had a passion for evangelism through Evangelism Explosion visitation and his unwavering support of missions. Over the years, he and Nancy followed the Bible’s mandate and consistently and joyfully ministered to the widows and orphans that the Lord placed in their lives. Phil enjoyed playing his bass violin. In his college years he played with friends in jazz bands and he continued to share this gift at home with his own family and at church events. He is perhaps most fondly remembered as a prayer warrior, both personally and in the church’s Missionary Prayer Bands. Before his stroke in 2006, he cherished his time of walking four miles each day and praying. In all these things, Phil would be the first to say that he was the grateful recipient of God’s grace toward him through his Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lois Grimm. Many will miss Phil dearly. The family he loved well and leaves behind until Glory are his beloved wife of 64 years, Nancy, who selflessly laid down her life to lovingly and tirelessly care for his every need in the last two decades of his life; his daughter, Lois Phlegar (Stephen); his son, Kent Hedges (Sharon); his grandchildren, Russell, Thomas, and Timothy Phlegar; Jonathan Hedges (Kezia), Joy Chou (Cameron), Gabriel Hedges; newborn great-grandson, Isaac Hedges, whom Phil had the privilege of meeting before going Home; and yet-to-born great-grandbaby Chou. Memorial contributions can be made to the Missions Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Augusta.

Philip Eugene Hedges

December 22, 1932 - July 7, 2026