Robert Phillips

Robert “Bob” PhillipsRobert L. Phillips, Sr., 77 answered the heavenly ca to take his eternal rest on December 6, 2014. Deacon Robert Lee Phillips, Sr. was born in Nansemond County, Va. to the late Rebecca Johnson and Wilmer Phillips, Sr. He attended the Nansemond County Schools and worked for the Luters and Smithfield Packing Companies. He also worked as a barber/hair stylist before joining the International Longshoreman’s Association where he worked for more than forty years.Deacon Phillips served as Chaplain of ILA 1248 and was a lifetime member of the NAACP. He understood and possessed a spirit of entrepreneurship. He provided tents for various community events and at one time owned a barbershop. He attended special educational seminars for advanced hair care and AFL-CIO community services advanced Labor Leadership courses. He was recognized by the Hampton Roads Shipping Association in 1979, and he was awarded several Certificates of Merit from the United Supreme Council, the NAACP, the ILA and others.He served as a faithful member of New Mt. Joy before joining the Garden of Prayer Worship Center. There, he served as chairman of the Finance Committee, the personal chairman of the Wardrobe Committee for Bishop Wiggins, and a member of the Usher Board, Hospitality and W.P. Wiggins Gospel Choir in 1991, he was ordained a deacon.He continued to serve faithfully at the Garden of Prayer Worship Center as a Deacon, Usher, President of Security, student In Sunday School and the Wednesday Night Bible Study Class. He attended the Church of God in Christ national conventions for several decades where he served as International Chaplain of Security, Marshal of COGIC and an usher in the international COGIC. His exuberant and devout character won the hearts of saints near and far.He loved his family and was especially attentive to his devoted wife (whom he called “Sugar Boo”).He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Doris W. Phillips, of Chesapeake, VA., four sons; Robert Phillips, Jr. (Angie) of Portsmouth, VA; Clarence Weathers, Jr. (Deidre) of Fort Washington, MD; Rudy Weathers of St. Louis, MO; and Earl Boone (Annette) of Elizabeth City, NC; three daughters; Marnita Sawyer (Maurice) of Camden, NC; Denise Turner of Atlanta, GA. and Wendy Outlaw of Merry Hill, NC; three sisters; Mary C. Johnson, Ruth L. Brickhouse, and Shirley Arline (Joe) all of Suffolk, VA; Nine brothers; Wilmer Phillips, Jr. (Linda) of Accomack County, VA; Joseph L. Johnson of Suffolk, VA; Miles H. Johnston, Sr. of Hampton, VA; Wesley T. Johnson, Henry L. Waters (Yvonne), John C. Waters (Myra), Vernon Waters (Geraldine), Robert E. Waters (Orris) all of Suffolk, VA and Charlie E. Simpson (brother-in-law) of Chesapeake, VA; aunt Dorothy Eley of Suffolk, VA, niece Dr. Bergina Brickhouse Isbell (Amari) of Laurel, MD; special “adopted children” Judith Green and Joseph Chase (Katrina) of Chesapeake, VA, Monique McDonald and Reginald McDonald of Virginia Beach, VA; A God child Quinton McDonald; three grandchildren; Alvin Brooks, Robert L. Phillips III and Desiree Phillips 18 grandchildren through marriage, 19 great grandchildren; longtime friends; A.C. Beamon, Joe Cherry, Charles Stith, William Reid Sr. and Antwan Boone; Faithful personal helpers; Joseph L. Johnson, Wesley T. Johnson, and Tony Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.Visitation with the family will be held 6 – 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2014 at Garden of Prayer Worship Center, 1001 Church Street, Norfolk, VA. The Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Garden of Prayer Worship Center. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Phillips, please visit our flower store.