Otis Phillips Jr.

Otis Phillips, Jr., was born June 16, 1941, in Lula, Mississippi, to the late Otis Phillips, Sr., and the late Theria Houston-Phillips. He was the second of ten children. Otis departed this life on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Francis Hospital. He was preceded in death by three siblings, L. V. Torry, Mary Lee Sims, and Willie Lee Phillips. The family moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi, and there they lived for several years. They joined Silent Grove Baptist Church where they attended regularly. The family later moved to a cotton plantation near Lyons, Mississippi, and worked as sharecroppers. The work was hard, and the days were long. Otis was a hard worker, working alongside his father, Otis, Sr.; he was diligent and dependable. His parents were devout Christians where prayer was a priority in the home. They joined New Cassidy Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Sidney Gaston and attended services regularly. Otis confessed a hope in Christ at the age of twelve and began singing in the choir. He became a lead singer and a featured soloist. Gospel singing became his passion; he refused to sing any other genre of music. He joined a gospel group and began singing at various churches. He formed his own quartet group, The Memphis Spiritual 4, and made several recordings. After many years of farming, the Phillips family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Otis got a job and committed to helping support the family. The family united with Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on Pillow Street under the leadership of the late Rev. C. L. Linsey. Otis continued to pursue his gospel singing career and his commitment to his family. He learned the art of hard work and commitment at an early age. Otis continued to be a diligent and dependable worker on his job. Otis loved God, loved his family, and worked hard to show his support. God blessed him tremendously with good jobs that paid well. He was married to Rosie Lee Jeffries and to this union, three children were born. After years of marriage, there was a separation and divorce. Otis later united in holy matrimony to Earnestine Mann, who is his present wife and who took good care of him during the years of his illness; to this union, two children were born. Otis retired from Delta Security in 2009. Following retirement, he continued to work in the area of security until his health failed. He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted wife, Earnestine Phillips; five children, Corry Phillips (Vickey), Terrence Phillips, Joann Phillips-Robinson, Larry Phillips, and Brenda Phillips; two step-children, Jamie Mann and Jima Luellen; six siblings, Rev. Pearly Stone (Uelle), Barbara Watkins, Dora McKinnie, James Phillips, Elton Phillips (Karen), all of Memphis, Tennessee, and Shirley Miller (Bryon) of Mesquite, Texas; eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and friends. We all love you Otis, but God loves you best!

Otis Phillips Jr.

June 16, 1941 - August 6, 2022