Mary Louise Phillips

Posted on January 17, 2025

Mary Louise Phillips, a native of Perry, was born Jan. 17, 1944, to A.D. Alexander and Willie Mae Whitehurst. Mary accepted Christ at a young age and was a faithful servant of the Lord. She utilized her gift of singing in the New Brooklyn M. B. Church choir and other churches in sister, Nettie Perry to give God praise. She was a 1961 graduate of Jerkins High School and very well-known because of her participation in the chorus, basketball team and as a cheerleader. Over the years she had various career paths and work experiences. She was a dedicated employee and worked persistently to provide for her family. God blessed her with retirement after being employed with the Taylor County School Head Start program. Mary transition on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at home surrounded with the love of her family. She will be remembered for the sweet and gentle spirit she exhibited. Mary was married to the love of her life, Sears Phillips. They traveled and enjoyed each other’s companionship. She was preceded in death by: her parents, AD Alexander and Willie Mae Whitehurst; her beloved son, Charles C. “Karski” Ellis; her grandparent, Mary Taylor; and her brothers, Sidney Patterson, Otis Williams, Oscar Williams and William Alexander. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Cynthia Ellis (Curtis) and La’Untrice Simmons; Eaton (Amos); grandchildren, Cha’Marquis Ellis (Bailey), Kiyani Ellis (Waldorf, Md.), La’Tevin Ellis (Netty) Portland, Ore., Malik (Katie), Micah (Priscilla), Charles Simmons (Jackson, Miss.) and Khloe Williams; great-grandchildren, Breleigh, Brylyn, Isaiah and Ziggy Ellis, Kylee Ellis, Kahari and McKenzie Ellis (Portland, Ore.), Ophelia Blount, Carolyn Neely and Marcus Phillips Jr.; sister in-laws, Jean Phillips, Syracuse, N.Y., Mary L. Williams and Jessie Alexander of Perry; daughter in-law, Kim Ellis (Waldorf); sons, John Phillips (Brenda), Marvin Phillips (Mircia), Marcus Phillips (Marcy); daughterin-law, Tina Neely; two God-daughters, Chrissa Allen (Mose) and Adria Hugger; favorite cousin, Shirley GainesMorrison; profound classmates, Sister Alice Watkins, Sister Mae Esther (Cookie) Trudell and Betty Hughes; pianist “Soul Sisters,” Sister Deborah Flowers (Benjamin) and Deaconess Mamie Ervin; the New Brooklyn Missionary Baptist Church Choir; and a great host of nieces, nephews and close friends. Public visitation will be Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal and not wound. Make Church Going a Habit held Friday, Jan. 18, from 5-6 p.m., at New Brooklyn M.B. Church. Celebration of life services will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m., at New Brooklyn M. B. Church, following by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Trinity Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.