Rosie Phillips

Rosie Mary Johnson Phillips was born on September 8, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the union of George Johnson, III, and Mrs. Bessie Bernice Burns. When her parents brought her home to meet her three siblings, her sister, Julia, said, "she looks like a doll baby" so the name stuck, and the family lovingly called her "Doll Baby". The Johnson Family migrated from Mississippi to the West Side of Chicago where they resided on Gladys Street. Rosie attended Gladstone Elementary School and McKinley High School; later, Rosie attended Wells Evening School where she received her High School Diploma. That is where Rosie's love for education started. She was a career student furthering her education at Malcolm X College, Kennedy King College, and DePaul University all located in Chicago, Illinois. Doll Baby was a scratch cook who could put Pillsbury and Duncan Hines out of BIDNESS. "Yes, you read it right, OUT OF BIDNESS." (((LOL))) You ain't had a cheesecake until you had a "Doll Baby's Cheesecake"; Porcupine Meatballs, Zucchini Bread, and Chicken N' Dumplings were some of her favorites. She worked at the Victor Dana Gasket Company for numerous years. Rosie also worked at Chicago Department of Human Services. She later became an Intake Coordinator at The Henry Horner Child Development Center. Her job description detailed actively seeking pre- school children from ages 3 to 6 to attend the center where they could be taught the basics requirements to prepare them for first grade. She kept the enrollment above the Illinois State guidelines winning numerous accolades and awards. Rosie took a short hiatus to raise her five children, Bernice, Juanita, Angelene, affectionately known as "Lil Rosie", Eileen, and her only son, Anthony, whose twin sister died at birth. All of the children shared so many loving memories of growing up with their nurturing mother. In Chicago, Illinois, Rosie met and married Joseph Phillips in 1967. Rosie migrated to Denver, Colorado in 1983. She resided with her brother, George Johnson, IV. She was a Bus Driver for the Denver Public Schools handicapped and special needs children for several years before she semi-retired. During her semi-retirement, Rosie developed a love for gardening and composting in the community and for personal use; she took great pride in growing, and cooking her own vegetables. Rosie "Doll Baby" Phillips will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Rosie is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Phillips; her twin baby girl, siblings, Julia Larry Johnson, George Washington Johnson VI, Fred Douglas Johnson; and her grandchild, Songay Brady. Rosie Mary Phillips leaves to cherish her legacy her children, Bernice (Rodney) Brady, Juanita Johnson, Angelene (Gene) McPeak, Anthony E. Johnson and Eileen J. Johnson; eight grandchildren; lifelong friends, Frank and Alma Harris, Rev. Thelma Sidberry, and Bobi Nichols all of Denver; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews , other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 2/8/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 2/9/2017 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: Private Cremation
Family Gathering: - Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO