Deloris Amelia Phillips

Her Story

Deloris Amelia Bonner was born on March 30, 1943, in New York City, New York. She was the eldest of five children. Growing up she was known as “Tootsie” by those that truly knew her. Her grandparents Emmett and Janie Bonner raised her in Milledgeville, GA. She received her formal education in Milledgeville at J.F. Boddie High School graduating in 1961. After high school, she met her beloved husband Cleo Phillips and they were united in holy matrimony on December 1, 1962, in Cleveland, Ohio. To this union they had three sons: Cleo Kenneth Phillips Jr., Kevin Clay Phillips, and Karl Cedric Phillips Sr. She and her husband also raised Karl Cedric Phillips Jr. as their own. She loved and lived for her husband and children. Deloris and the family often took many road trips across the United States. As a family, they relocated from Cleveland, OH to Denver, CO. They shared many happy and precious moments together.

She was a woman of many talents. She worked for Denver Public school district for 10 years then transferred to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) as a Service Technician. She worked for RTD for 27 years before she retired. She was clever and outspoken. Her coworkers called her Miss Dee because she was a mother figure to many AND always there for those in need.

Deloris was a long-time member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Manning Perkins for 30+ years. Later A member of New Life Christian Fellowship Church under the leadership of Pastor Kevin Thompson, where she remained a member until her passing. She was dedicated to serving the Lord and people of the community. For years, she was the leader of the Bereavement committee; tending to those who lost loved ones. She loved to cook, and plan get togethers, whether it was for a baby shower or funeral. Deloris was always prepared to be the grand hostess. She walked by faith and was a profound believer.

Her children and grandchildren remember her as a loving, caring, and witty woman. They lovingly called her “granny, ma, moms, grams and gg”. She would spend every single moment she could with all of them. They will miss her cooking and holiday house parties. She enjoyed having all her children at her house playing in the yard and keeping her company.

She passed away into the embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 8, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

She is preceded in death by her husband Cleo Phillips Sr., son Cleo Kenneth Phillips Jr.; her grandparents; brother; and sister.

She is survived by her two children Kevin (Curtissa) Phillips and Karl Sr; eight grandchildren Gabrielle Hull, Karl Jr. (Yesenia) Phillips, Devon, Jache, Ashley, Amber, TeAja, and Kendra); and six great grandchildren; Brayden, Amelia, Sophia, Josiah, Anthony, and Remi); brother, Richard Ware and sister, Kim L. Ware; additional family members including Tracy Hull; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and  friends.