Our Caring Staff

Riley is a third generation funeral service professional. His grandfather, Hayes Downing Phillips, founded Phillips Funeral Home in 1907. His father, Melvin Riley Phillips, Sr., continued managing the business until his death in 1967. A few years later, Riley graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and returned home to take over the day-to-day operations. It has been his pleasure to serve the community and surrounding area for over fifty years. 

His commitment to volunteer work shows in the awards he has received: Outstanding Young Fireman, Outstanding Young Businessman, VFW Citizen of the Year, Star Fiddlers' Convention C.V. Richardson Memorial, Boy Scouts of America Award of Merit, and Eagle Scout. He retired from Star Volunteer Fire Department after thirty-two years, is a past district director for the North Carolina Funeral Directors' Association, served on the board of directors for the Boy Scouts of America Central NC Council, and has held many positions at Star United Methodist Church where he remains a lifetime member. 

Riley is married and has one son. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends. 

Jonathan began working at a Phillips Funeral Home in Star in 2000.  In 2017, Phillips Funeral Home merged with Pugh Funeral Home and Jonathan joined our staff.  He received his North Carolina Funeral Service License in 1992 after graduating from Fayetteville Technical Community College and possesses the National Board of Funeral Service Examining credentials.  Jonanthan also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from UNC-Wilmington.  Jonathan is of the Baptist faith and participates in church and community activities.  In his free time, Jonathan enjoys the great outdoors – in particular fishing, hunting, camping and gunsmithing. 

Lisa Asbill came to work for Phillips Funeral Home in June 2021 as Office Administrator. Prior to Coming to Phillips, Lisa worked in the propane industry for 20 years.   She is a native of Montgomery County and is married with two children.  She attends and is a member of Southside Baptist Church in Biscoe. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys reading, gardening and taking camping trips with her family. 

Chris Monroe has proudly served families as a funeral assistant at Phillips Funeral Home since July of 2022. A native of Eagle Springs, Chris works as a guidance counselor at North Moore High School. He attends and is a member at Bensalem Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs. Chris’ hobbies include church work, spending time with family, baking, and traveling. 

JJ Moore is a Licensed Funeral Director, a 2009 graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College in their Funeral Service program. He is a resident of Robbins in the Spies Community in Moore County. He is happily married to wife Jo Ann for over 50 years. They have 3 children, 3 Grandchildren, and 2 Great Grandchildren. He is member of Brown’s Chapel Christian Church in Robbins, where he serves as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Cemetery Director. JJ is also a Mason, at Elise Lodge #555 in Robbins, where he is the treasurer. He also is a Charter Member of Northern Moore Lions Club in Robbins. JJ also is well known for being on radio stations, JoyFM, WYTR, WCSE, and WGWR. He has also been a licensed Insurance agent since 1976. He feels his job as a Preneed Funeral Director is to help families plan for their funeral with peace of mind and eliminate the worry of how they are going to pay for those expenses. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family, and travel.

Jim Pendell began his career with Pugh Funeral Homes and New Hope Memorial Gardens in March of 2005. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and spent his childhood years in and around that area. Upon graduation from Era Christian Academy in 1985 he came to Randleman NC to follow his heart, and in September of 1986 he married Tonya Ferguson. Together they have two children, a daughter Natalie, and son James. Their granddaughters are the joy of his life. Jim enjoys family time, collecting Craftsman tools and cooking BBQ. Jim and Tonya attend Back Creek Friends Meeting. You may find Jim at one our locations making improvements or in a cemetery opening or closing a grave.