Emma Skipper Phillips

A Celebration of the Life Legacy and Love of

Emma Skipper

Phillips

March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Her Legacy of Love The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 127

On Saturday June 20, 2015 the Lord spoke and Emma Skipper Phillips answered. She was born on March 23, 1923 to Hurley and Ira Jane Skipper.

She was the fourth of six children raised in a Christian family. Emma began singing at the age of five and was baptized at ten. When she was about fourteen, she received an offer to go to Hollywood and sing, and her parents objected, but that didn’t stop her from singing. On Sundays at Rose Hill Baptist Church and Crescent Straight Life, her voice would ring out! For nearly 70 years Emma has been a member of Branch Bell Baptist church causing the Holy Spirit to move when she sang.

Her membership began under the late Rev. R. K. Watson, followed by Elder Henry Williams, then by Rev. Warren V. Cooper who always told her “how he remembered her from the ‘old wooden church’ when he was just a boy and that she still had the same beautiful smile.” She remained a faithful member until her death, under the current angel of the house, Elder Kevin L. Williams who also loved to hear her sing. She would keep him sharp as she said something unexpected to make him laugh and think. There were many who played while she sang but only one, Lois Amelia Tilly was known to be “her organist” she recalls her favorite solo as ‘Jesus lover of my Soul.’ She was also known for singing ‘If I had wings of a Dove, I would Fly away…”, She can still be heard singing another popular song “When Jesus Comes” and the part she did the best… ‘He’ll take the Gloom and fill your life with Glory…” There were so many songs that only Emma could sing like ‘What God has for me, it is for me, and I’m so Grateful and she did just that in so many churches and places around New Orleans and beyond. In these last years she began quoting the words to a song that also identified her faith in Christ. “Jesus on the Mainline…’, she could be heard at any moment saying, ‘Tell Him what you want! Her voice will remain angelic in our hearts and spirits forever! She could sing anything! She was a faithful member of the Senior Choir and she would sit on the side closest to the organ and whenever Brenda gave the signal during a song she would release the clearest high note allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to move in our hearts throughout the church! She was also a member of Women for Progressive Action, The Saturday Seniors, and The Community Fellowship Mission Auxiliary. She helped start the Tuesday prayer band where members would gather at 12 noon to pray weekly at Branch Bell. She was a former Queen of E. J. Morris Senior Citizen Center and started their first ever choir. She was elected a sweetheart at Kingsley House and often sang on various programs.

She was also awarded and recognized by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation Inc. for her Contribution to Gospel Music. Emma was a PTA President, Sunday school and vacation Bible school teacher, and a member of many other local organizations. She often told how she was brought to church not sent and she consistently went to BTYU. She attended New Orleans Public Schools, and graduated from McDonogh #35 Sr. High School where she began a three generation legacy, YMCA School of Business, also Poros and Katie’s School of Beauty. She also worked at Pac-tite & Rutter Rex Manufacturing Co. and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

She retired from Cosmetology.

Emma along with her husband was known for opening her home and heart to anyone in need. She would often be the one hosting a meeting for the choir or any group and driving anyone where they needed to go.

Her home was a refuge for some during Hurricane Betsy even after she and the family evacuated for safer ground. She enjoyed cooking, laughing, talking, gardening and most of all singing throughout her house!

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Her Legacy of Love … continued God blessed Emma known as ‘Philly’ to be married fifty years to her late husband Collins C. Phillips, Sr. (1992) whom she lovingly called Cool Papa; and mother of three children, Collins, Jr. (Shelia), the late Bruce Allen Phillips, Sr. & daughter–in-law JoAnn, and Lisa C. Phillips (Singinlisa) who has followed in her footsteps musically. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Jasmine (Travian), Joy, Collins Clayton, III, Aristide Ezekial, Bruce Allen, Jr. (Lydia), and Takisha Tawnia; also 16 great grandchildren, Treja Jaslyn (13), JuJuan Travian (12), N’yassah, Fulani, Malik, Jai (21), Jaleel Isaiah (19), Jayla Imani (17), Twins: Jyra Ina and Jabari Iric (14), Wendell Anthony (13), Joyia Iyanla (11), Twins: Kentrell Stephen and Karielle Shelia (8), and Kelvin Simon (6); two in death and a brand new one on the way! One goddaughter, Joan Ray; a dearly devoted niece, Gloria Moline Johnson (one of two original flower girls (Doris) at her wedding); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

We will truly miss you! You were our precious mother, aunt, grandmother, great – grandmother, cousin, godmother, comedian, confidant and friend.

Only you could change your name to be Emma Helen Louise Skipper Phillips. It makes us laugh every time we say it. God our creator chose the time and the place to call you home as he has for us all. We would be blessed for our lives to contribute to others as you have for 92 years!

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Celebration Service Branch Bell Baptist Church Officiant: Elder Kevin L. Williams 1231 St. Maurice Avenue * New Orleans, LA Tuesday, June 30, 2015 * 10:00 AM Prelude Entrance of Family Praise & Worship Choir Presiding Service Leader Scripture Readings:

Cynthia Willard Lewis Old Testament Old Testament

Prayer Prayer and Chant Reflections ……………………………………………………………………………….. Leslie F. Duvernay Treasure of the Elderly ……………………………………………………………………. Rev. Lois Dejean Ebenezer Baptist Church The Trumpet Sound ...................................................................................................... Marcel Moline Community Fellowship Mission Auxiliary …………………………………... President Adolph Perkins Solo ……………………………………………………………………………………........ Bro. Vernon Ward First Emmanuel Baptist Church Condolences ………………………………………………………………………................ Church / Choir Selection …….………………………………………………………………………………... Cameron Clark Musical Salute ………………………………………………………………………… Great Grandchildren My Grandmother ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

“The Choir Robe” Obituary & Acknowledgments ………………………………………………………………… Yvette Clark Solo ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Dr. Valerie Francis Eulogy ………………………………………………………………………………. Elder Kevin L. Williams Recognition of Visiting Ministers ……………………………………………………… (2 minutes please) Final Glimpse Until Glory ……………………………………. D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home in Charge

Benediction / Recessional

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Mother… by: Lisa ‘Singinlisa’ Carolyn Phillips I will forever remember that I’m the daughter you prayed for because I am a living testimony that God answered your prayers. For half of my life we have been together. I was in church before I was even born in your belly while you sang.

And then you said ‘the ninth Ward opened up’ because Lisa was born. My brothers were happy that I was here to take their place for trying on the clothes you made! I was your worst hair client but you always made sure I looked good, from the bonnet, to the dress, and the shoes. You and daddy always supported me and said yes to every positive experience that came my way. You were on the PTA at school, the Sunday school at church, the teacher at vacation Bible school, my biggest cheerleader in every event and most of all you helped me when I had to work at the radio station. You have been with me at work with my clients who you loved no differently and they loved you in return. You have been with me to doctors appointments (not just yours) doing traffic reporting, singing at my rehearsals, when I had to sing somewhere and wherever I had to go before we made it home. You were with me every year I hosted at jazz fest and on Sunday mornings I would sing in the choir with you so YOU could continue to sing.

I often wondered when did our roles switch? When did you become the daughter and I the mother and the answer came - when you needed me. I was the shoulder you leaned on in church after Bruce was gone, and I spoke words of comfort the best I could as I drove us home from the hospital and you cried after being told Daddy had expired.

Because of how I was raised I knew that it was my responsibility and honor to GIVE back to you the love you gave to me; or at least try. However, you cleared it up when somebody told you that I was the boss. ‘Lisa is not my boss. I’m her mother.’ I’m a woman and I’m human!” How can I explain the way we spent our days that continued into the night, many times greeting the next day. You always wanted to know ‘where we goin’ so I kept finding places to go. If I ran out I could always call Aunt Gloria and we would have another round of adventure and fun! We went to the park I pushed you around the walking path and you were concerned about me getting tired, we fed the ducks that you tried to grab because you said that was good eating. We sang songs so others could hear the message of God’s goodness.

We went to many stores, grocery, furniture, flower, hardware, etc… and always spoke to somebody and smiled at some child. You made sure if I passed up something you wanted you pulled it off the rack before we got too far away.

We tried on hats that we were not going to buy so we took pictures! You grabbed the shoes you really would wear if you could have. We ate in restaurants, took rides to the country, went to live performances, we even went to the movies. When I had to sing at nursing homes you were with me and I was so thankful you left with me. When we visited others in the hospital we prayed, we sang and encouraged them to go on. We visited every floor at the radio station, we went to the museum and looked at pictures we couldn’t explain. You tried your best to speak another language and play the piano. You were so excited when my friends put you in a Jacuzzi and then the pool because at 89 you didn’t feel like you could not learn to swim. You were the grand marshal on a family float and you wouldn’t throw anybody any beads until we stopped and you stood up to give one to a particular child. I always thought of the fun we would have had if you could have traveled with me abroad. You loved to see people have a good time and you made sure we all did. I was your escort to many wonderful seasoned senior functions.

You were sassy, flirty, outspoken, hilarious, genuine, humble, sincere, polite and ready to have a boyfriend or husband whenever time permitted. When your legs became weak, I made adjustments. When we sometimes ended up on the ground, God gave me the strength to pick you up. Other times I was grateful to call my brother and even my neighbors.

I’m so glad your grand and great grand children were able to see through you how good God is. The village, and our family truly helped me take care of you.

I will NEVER FORGET thanks to recording and photography the many nights you worshipped the Lord and the old songs you and I sang. You recounted various conventions, Church services, events, meetings and functions that you were so proud in which to participate. You said so many times I LOVE MY CHURCH! You made me look good and feel good and always told me I was beautiful. But when I would kiss and hug you, you asked me don’t you have a boyfriend? Then I would kiss you again. You often asked others and myself included do you have any children? I would answer just one- YOU! You would answer how can I be your child, I’M OLD and I would say you’re not my child but you are my baby. You were worried that you were stopping me from living but it is because of you mother that I have lived.

Mama I know I can’t tell it all and I’m not supposed to. That will remain with me, but I definitely wanted the world to know what a wonderful mother God gave me. I have thought of how I will go on living without my best friend and the answer came ‘the same way you did and when she was here’. With God, who is my Lord. HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU Mother for giving me EVERYTHING and more. I WILL MISS YOU IMMENSELY BUT I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN! I Love You Mom… and I can still hear you saying “I love you more.”

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Tributes of Love GOD, THANK YOU FOR MOM The time has come to say good-bye to the person responsible for me being here. The person responsible for who I am, what I've become, the man I am.

Emma Skipper Phillips, good bye and thank you for a job well done. So many times I didn't understand, thought you were wrong, disagreed with you. You told me I'd understand by and by and you were right. You told me to trust God, you told me Jesus is my savior, I not only understand, I believe and have become the teacher you were. There's no way the man I am today was my doing. I'll never know the prayers you prayed for me, the others who prayed for me because of you. I'll always love and miss you. You'll never be forgotten.

EMMA SKIPPER PHILLIPS: MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER, GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD FOR 92 YEARS!!!

Dear Mema, We love you so much. You are loved by so many, you will always be in our hearts. We, your great grandchildren will miss singing and praising the lord around the kitchen table with you. Remember how Jayla tried to out sing you? We all took turns singing, even Paw Paw. Remember when we went to the movie theatre to see the movie James Brown? In one of the scenes James Brown was calling out for his mom and you kept answering his calls yelling back at the screen, "What boy"? It was not embarrassing at all to us, we felt proud and loved you so much. We always had so much fun with you. We will miss being your caregivers.

Jabari my twin, will miss combing, brushing, and oiling your hair until you fell asleep.

He gave you weird hair hairdos. He was a great care giver, assisting you to bed and making you comfortable. Jayla was always there to assist Mawmaw with bathing, dressing and cleaning Mema's room. Joyia, will miss giving Mema her medication, feeding and just simply keeping Mema company. Providing her with essentials like water. Wendell, the smallest of the great grands was considered the sheriff of the caregivers. He would always ask the nurses questions and say things like "Don't forget to..." and "Make sure you..." He was always the first to wake her up and ask her how she was doing. Treja and Jajuan will miss paw sending them random videos of you day to day, skyping with you. They call me Jyra, little Emma. I'll miss sneaking into your room to keep you company when Maw said to let sleep. I just wanted to be near you.

We will all miss you very much. Mema, most of all we will miss planting kisses of your forehead in the morning, after school, at night right before bed and sometimes just because...

Rest in peace Mema. Your great grands love you.

Emma Skipper Phillips March 23, 1923 – June 20, 2015

Honorary Pallbearers Calvin Phillips Rhyneal Phillips Randy Ray

Louis Sellers Emile Moline Daryl Scott Glenn Ray

Active Pallbearers Bruce A. Phillips Jabari Phillps Jaleel Phillps Travian Smalls Marcel Moline Aristide Phillips Collins C. Phillips, III

Supporting Clergy Elder Loretta Petit * Minister Tonyalia McMorris * Rev. Oliver Duvernay Rev. Lois Dejean * Rev. Jermaine Landrum * Pastor Fred Luter Father Oswald P. Pierre-Jules, Jr. S.S.J. Rev. Ernest Dison * Rev. Eric Dorsey * Rev. Michael Raymond Bishop Onassis F. Jones * Rev. Michael Mille’ * Rev. Anthony Marquize Dr. Thomas J. Brown, Jr. * Rev. Tyrone Jefferson * Bishop Daryl S. Brister

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

Heart of Hospice- To the TEAM that provided care to our mother. Bertha, Donna, Jenna, Philip, Valerie & Donna, You laughed, cried, counseled, equipped, called, checked, came, prayed, sang, hugged, comforted and continued to provide whatever made mama continue to enjoy the MOMENTS THAT MATTERED. Eva – Your love and laughter always brought out the youngster in mama!

Marilyn Duplessis- The Personal Care you provided to our mother was a testament to the number of years you knew her and will always be treasured in the quality of life she was able to receive.

Sis. Betty Richardson – To God Be the Glory for directing you to provide your time, prayer and unending desire to care for our mother. The Holy Spirit truly assigned you to us when we needed it most for which we will be eternally grateful.

From the Family We want to personally express our appreciation to all of you who have showered us family with your kind and sincere offerings of love and support. It's been comforting to know how mama touched your life. Emma Skipper Phillips was just simply UNIQUE. Psalms 139:14 / Jeremiah 29:11. A divine creation from God that etched out a short but full 92 years across our lives. To know her was to know GOD'S LOVE. The love that God wants us all to display without limitations or hesitations. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR STRENGTH AND DIRECTION. —THE PHILLIPS FAMILY-

Special Acknowledgements Kingsley House / Arc of Greater New Orleans / Supported Living Betty Winn & One A-Chord / NOSMI-New Orleans Society of Musicians- Patricia M. Seals iHeart Media / WYLD AM940 / WYLD FM98 / WQUE 93.3 / WNOE 101.1

Arrangements

Interment

Repast

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA

Resthaven Memorial Park 10400 Old Gentilly Road New Orleans, LA

Branch Bell Baptist Church 1231 St. Maurice Ave. New Orleans, LA

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