Marie Phillips

Marie Smith Phillips was born on March 15, 1938, in Rayville, Louisiana to her parents, Mary L. Hammonds Smith and Steve M. Smith. She was the second child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Steve, Jr., Willie, Jessie, Samuel, Freddie, William, Jimmy, and Isaiah and her sisters, Dorothy, Rosie, Sarah, and Michelle. As a child, she was kind, loving and nurturing. She always made sure her younger siblings had something to eat, even if it meant giving up her plate to them. Marie received her formal education in Rayville, where she attended the Eula D. Britton School. On December 18, 1955, she united in holy matrimony to Willie J. Phillips. They first met when they both lived in Rayville. The couple loved traveling and visiting family. They also loved fishing. To this union, Delores, Diane, Mary, Cynthia, James, Donald, Paul, John and David were born. She was later blessed to have twenty-five grandchildren; and thirty-two great grandchildren, who were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her "Gramma Ree" and fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they all shared together. By profession, Marie was a Steward for the Hilton Hotel Chain. She was hard-working, dedicated and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence. She worked well with others and enjoyed laughing and playing an occasional joke on her co-workers. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Marie accepted the Lord as her personal savior at a very early age. She loved attending church. Upon relocating to Denver, Colorado, she joined Mt. Gilead Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Acen L. Phillips. She truly enjoyed the knowledge she was gaining as she studied God's Word and the Christian fellowship shared with her church family. Marie was a fun loving woman who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed watching "Matlock", "The Price Is Right", and "Texas Ranger" on television. She enjoyed working cross word puzzles, cooking, crocheting, visiting the hills, and spending quality time with family and friends. Her closest friends, which include her sisters, Ms Dorothy, Ms. Lanise, and her mother-in-law Bertha Phillips, will miss the camaraderie they all shared together and the fact that she was a true and genuine friend. A favorite quote that often shared with others was "Take it to Jesus and leave it there." She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this loving woman who had a heart of gold. She leaves a void that can never be filled. To know Marie was to love her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie J. Phillips; her sons, John Phillips, and David Phillips; her parents, Steve M. Smith and Mary L. Wilson; her brothers, Steve Smith, Jr., Willie Smith, Jessie Smith, Sam Smith, Freddie L. Hammonds; her sister, Dorothy Wilson; her granddaughter, Shawnette Phillips; and her great-grandson, Tyler Greer. Marie Phillips departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on November 2, 2013, in her home in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her children Delores (Richard) Kibble, Diane (Sylvester Jones) Phillips, Mary L. Phillips, Cynthia Phillips, James Phillips, Donald Phillips, Paul W. Phillips; her brothers, Williams Smith, Jimmy Hammonds, Isaiah Wilson; her sisters, Rosie White, Sarah Sims, Michelle Johnson; twenty-five grandchildren; and thirty-two great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 11/7/2013 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 11/8/2013 at 2:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO