Reverend Michael Steven Phares

SFC Michael Steven Phares (US Army Retired)

Pageland, South Carolina

Reverend Michael Steven Phares, age 68, affectionately known as "Preacher Mike," went home to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, December 17, 2023 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023 from the Chapel of Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home. The service will be officiated by Brent Taylor with military honors. A private burial will follow at a later date. Prior to the service, the family will greet friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday at the funeral home.

SFC Michael Steven Phares (US Army Retired) was born on January 24, 1955 in Baltimore, MD. He was the son of the late Roy and Elizabeth Chester Phares and spent his formative years in Elkins, WV. Following a distinguished military career where he served as a Sergeant First Class in the US Army from April 8, 1974 to February 1, 1996, SFC Phares retired. During his service, he received several accolades including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars.

Upon retiring from the military, Michael pursued his education in land management and forestry and obtained a bachelor's degree from Western Oklahoma University. He relocated to South Carolina to serve as the ROTC Instructor at Andrew Jackson High School and also worked many years as a land surveyor. While attending Pageland United Methodist Church and serving as a Lay Leader, he answered the call into full-time ministry and faithfully served as pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church of Chesterfield and Bethel United Methodist Church of Patrick for over 11 years. Throughout his ministry Reverend Phares was very involved in sharing the gospel with our local communities and played a significant role in establishing the Release Time Bible Classes in our local schools.

In his spare time, Michael enjoyed reading and listening to old classic music, especially bluegrass. He also had a passion for watching westerns, bigfoot documentaries, and classic television shows including the Andy Griffith Show and MASH.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Debra Smith. He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Katherine "Kathy" Phares; children, Mark (Robin) Sherwood of Colorado Springs, CO, Michael Phares of Charlotte, NC, and Sarah (David) Mangiamele of Wesley Chapel, NC; grandchildren, Maximus, Ezra, Joseph, Leona, and Skylar; siblings Jean, Annette, Charles, and Rose; as well as his beloved dog "Andrew."

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted at MRC Funeral Home to assist the family.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Phares family.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." ~ Psalms 116:15