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James “Phillip” Elks, age 69, a resident of Chocowinity, NC passed away at home Sunday morning, July 2, 2023.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 6, 2023 in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and will be officiated by Rev. Stephen Batten. Burial will Follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Willie Moore, Wayne Harris, Chris Kiricoples, Kent Hill, Tavner Dixon and Michael Goldberg will serve as pallbearers. Allen Pittman, Douglas Housley, Watson Elks, and Darrel Elks will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Phillip was born on December 14, 1953 to Dalton and Shirley Elks. He was born with Down Syndrome in an era that offered no help to parents who chose to take their children home to raise. The public school would not allow kids like Phil to attend. So, a small group of Beaufort County parents of special needs children started a small “Opportunity School” to try and help their kids learn, paying the teachers out of their own pockets. Phil later went to Caswell Center in Kinston where he learned to be as independent as possible. When local resources began to be available, Phil returned to Beaufort County to live in a group home. He attended BCDC and worked at Stitch Works in Washington. In his later years he returned home to live with his parents. Phil loved church, wrestling, Elvis Pressley, and pretty girls, but he loved his family more than anything.

Phil is survived by his mother, Shirley Dixon Elks of the home, two sisters, Sharon (Doug) Housley of Chocowinity, Donna (Allen) Pittman of Washington, and a sister-in-law, Lori Elks. He was very proud of his nieces and nephews, Wayne (Callie) Harris of Greenville, Tania Harris of Chocowinity, Emily Toler of Atlanta, GA, Jacob Pittman of Washington, Michael Goldberg of Virginia Beach, and also a great niece, Katie Harris of Washington. Phil also leaves behind a loving group of caregivers and hospice workers who were instrumental in allowing Phil the opportunity to live out his life at home with his devoted, beloved mother.; Darlene Hawks, Annie Corey, Simone Reid, Bryan Ochoa, and Willie Moore.

He is preceded in death by his father, Dalton Elks, his brother, Gerald Elks, a nephew, Matthew Goldberg, and a great niece Kati Harris.

The family will receive friends from 6:30PM until 8:30PM Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Beaufort County Developmental Center, P.O. Box 518, Washington, NC 27889.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Elks family.