A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Billie Augusta Allen Phillips, 99, of Decatur will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday at King’s Memorial United Methodist Church with Dr. Wylheme Ragland officiating and the Reverend Rod Stallworth, host pastor. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral. Public viewing will be today from 3-7 and Friday from 10-7 at Reynolds Funeral Home.
Mrs. Phillips was born to Horace Bernis Allen and Estella Hill Allen in Decatur on July 6, 1919. She entered into rest at her residence on October 12, 2018 in the full triumph of the Christian faith with the assurance of eternal life given at her baptism. In her act of faith, she gave her heart to God and her hands in the service of the church and humanity.
She was educated in the Decatur City Schools and graduated from The Decatur Negro High School, Class of 1939. Her maiden name, Allen, was always first to appear on class rolls and on the commencement programme. However, she survived all of her classmates and all commencement participants.
After high school, she married Jack Phillips and continued her education for beauty and cosmetology education. She graduated from the Lydia Adams Beauty College, Chicago, Illinois. She would later establish, own and operate Unique Beauty Salon which is the oldest beauty salon business in continuous service in Decatur and Morgan County. She was an active member of the North Alabama Cosmetology Association.
Mrs. Phillips was a fourth-generation member of King’s Memorial United Methodist Church, and served in every capacity of the work of the laity. Her service to the congregation included Trustee Board, Building Committee, United Methodist Women, The Chancel Choir, Restricted Funds/Building Fund Treasurer and member of the Sunday and Wednesday Bible study.
Preceding her in death are husband; parents; siblings, Donella Allen Jones and Bessie Short; niece, Ann Deloris Fitzgerald Reed; and great-nephews, Larry Bernard Reed and Malcolm Devon Jones.
Survivors include nieces, Waltina Jones {Thomas}, Sandra Jones {Bennie}, Charlotte Wilson {Silas}, Paula Reed, Billie Dean Scruggs, Decatur; nephews, Michael Reed {Barbara}, John Reed, Decatur; nine great-nieces; seven great-nephews; two godchildren, Carol Watkins, Joshua Howard Jones, Decatur; a plethora of great great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
Special thanks to Mrs. Delilah Fletcher and her church family. Special friends, Eunice Wilson and Hope Trotter, Chicago, Illinois.
