Betty Phillips

Betty Jean Servella Wilson Phillips was born May 17, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She transitioned from an earthy life to everlasting peace on December 31, 2019 surrounded by the comfort of her family and friends. Although Betty had been encumbered with health challenges over the past several months, she decided a godly presence was far better as she took hold of God’s hand into glory. She left an impressionable mark on family, friends, colleagues and associates.

Betty was the oldest child of five born to the late Deacon James and Deaconess Rosie Wilson, of South Bend, Indiana. She graduated from Central High School. Shortly thereafter Betty met and wed William Phillips, Sr. of South Bend, Indiana. To that union were born two children William Phillips, Jr. and Connie Faye Phillips.

Betty and family relocated to the Maryland area for better opportunities. She worked for the Council of Churches in the late 1960’s. After thirty-eight years of employment with Cigna Insurance and working for Rose Croft Raceway, she retired but held various employment opportunities such as the Camelot by Martin’s Banquet Hall.

Betty was an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana until she relocated to Maryland. A committed Christian, Betty was a faithful member of the Canaan Baptist Church family for the last forty-three years where she served with various ministries, the former Canaan Chorale Ensemble, the Voices of Canaan and the Mary E. Brown Missionary Ministry. Also, she was a member of the Mount Pleasant International Training in Communication (ITC) Club and was a regular attendee of the Lott Carey Foreign Missions Annual Session.

Betty was preceded in death by daughter, Connie Faye Phillips; husband, William Phillips, Sr.; parents James and Rosie Goddard Wilson; brother, Milton L. Wilson; sister, Annie P. Smith; great aunt and uncle, Edgar and Johnnie Chandler. She was also preceded in death by her dear, best friend Ernestine Kornegay.

She leaves to cherish her memories son, William (Tracy) Phillips of Forestville, MD; four granddaughters, Ashley Nicole, Adrien Janzell, Aliyah Rene, Asia Danielle Phillips of Forestville, MD; brother, James Wilson, Jr. (Mable) of South Bend, IN; sister, Donna M. Wilson of Las Vegas, NV; niece, Deliesha Stewart (Eric) of Atlanta, GA; nephew, Derrick Smith of Atlanta, GA; nephew, Michael (Stephanie) Wilson of Peachtree, GA; goddaughter, Lisa Hill of Stone Mountain, GA; godbrother, Ken Weston of Hagerstown, MD; and the entire Canaan Baptist and Pilgrim Baptist Church families.