Bernice Phillips was born on June 31, 1936, to the late Clinton and Lou Ann Derricott of Montpelier, VA. She attended Bethany Baptist Church and at a young age accepted Christ into her life. She sang in the church’s Chorus and Choir, served on the Bethany Usher Board, and the Hospitality Committee until her health began to fail.

On September 25, 1957, Bernice Derricott married John Richard Phillips, this union was blessed with a stepson, Hamilton, and (3) additional children, John Jr., Lora, and Kennedy.

Bernice provided home cleaning and home healthcare services to others for most of her life until she retired.

Bernice went on to eternal rest with the Lord on Monday, January 31, 2022. She will be greatly missed.

Bernice was preceded in death by her late husband John, sister Yvonne Stills, brother Garfield Derricott, and favorite niece “Sissy”.

Bernice leaves to mourn, her children, Hamilton Derricott (Regina); John Phillips Jr. (Daphne); Lora Pope (Elvis); Kennedy Phillips (Andrea); grandchildren, Lamont, Angela, Antron (Lydia), Rashad, Talara, Travis, and Logan; great grandchildren, Krystal, Antron Jr., Lyric, Harmony, and Aniya; brothers, Clinton Derricott Jr. (Arlene); Lindsey Derricott (Darlene); brother-in-law, Gilbert Stills; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bernice never complained about anything, and had two favorite sayings:
“I don’t have an ache or pain” … “Just keep on living, you’ll see”.