This beautiful tribute to Myrtle Combs Phillips encapsulates her life’s journey, dedication to her family, and love for her community. Myrtle Combs Phillips** Mom, Mother Phillips, “Murel”, Grandmother, Granmommy, Granny, and “GG”
Born July 28, 1935, in Mooringsport, Louisiana, Myrtle was the beloved daughter of the late Della Proctor and Hursey Combs. From age 3, she was lovingly raised by her foster mother, Leaner Proctor. In 1945, Myrtle dedicated her life to Christ through baptism at St. John Baptist Church, where she became a devoted and active member. She attended Lane Chapel for her schooling.
On September 25, 1950, Myrtle married the love of her life, the late AJ Phillips. Together, they built a family of seven children: Evelyn Tony, Melvin, Rosie Lee, Deborah, Annie Muriel, Alex Joseph, and Jennifer Marie.
Myrtle began working at just 3 years old, helping with laundry and continued in domestic work until her retirement at age 68. Following her retirement, she moved to Shreveport to care for her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy. Myrtle shared an extraordinary bond with her autistic grandson, Justin, and was known for her stash of treats—peanut brittle, pork skins, honey buns, and chocolate—that delighted her greatgrandchildren.
A warm and welcoming presence, Myrtle’s smile brightened the lives of all who crossed her path. At St. John Baptist Church, she faithfully served as Senior Choir President, President of the Usher board, and President of the Pastor’s Aide Committee for many years. Myrtle was a chartered Member of Top Ladies of Distinction Mountain West Chapter Aurora Colorado. Her hobbies included fishing, shopping, watching game shows and soap operas, and cherishing family gatherings.
Myrtle’s life was marked by travel, as she visited her children and grandchildren worldwide, including a memorable trip to England for the birth of her sixth grandchild. She especially loved spending summers in Aurora, Colorado. Her home was always a place of comfort, filled with the aroma of her home-cooked meals, a passion she passed down to her family, inspiring the creation of **Myrlz Gyrlz Kountry Kitchen**.
For over 70 years, Myrtle emphasized the importance of family, creating traditions of togetherness that her loved ones will treasure forever. This past summer, her 89th birthday brought her family together again, celebrating the legacy of love, strength, and faith she cultivated throughout her life. Myrtle Combs Phillips’ enduring spirit and unwavering devotion to her family and faith will forever be remembered and cherished by all who know her.
Thursday, November 21, 2024, Myrtle received her wings and went home to Heaven where she was met at heaven’s gate by our Heavenly Father, accompanied by Della Proctor (Mother), Hursey Combs (Father), Auntie Leaner (Foster Mom) and Ike Proctor (Uncle), Jeanette Coley (God Mother), Stella Proctor (Aunt), Alex and Rose Phillips (Parents in-Love), Annie B. Johnson (Sister), Donald R. Williams (Son-in-Love), Shannon Phillips (granddaughter), Eryana Simone (great-granddaughter), Melvin Phillips (son), Jennifer Marie Phillips (daughter) and Alex (A.J.) Phillips (husband).
Cherishing her memory and living out her legacy of love include:
Children: Children: Evelyn T. Williams (Donald*); Rosie L. Phillips; Deborah Sullivan; Annie M. Howard (Vern), Aurora, CO; Alex J. Phillips, Dallas, TX; Leon Bryant (Bonus Son)
Grandchildren: Tennille Williams (Carle), Fort Worth, TX; Melvin L. Phillips; Dezsiray Lemar Sullivan (Natasha), Monroe, LA; Eboni Trichell Williams, Houston, TX; Alex JaCoy Sullivan; Reginald Jamall West (Kayla Marie), Aurora, CO; Antoinette Janine West, Oakland, CA; Jessica Renee Johnson (Nikita Webb); Ashley Nicole Johnson; Ashton Jacoby Phillips, Dallas, TX; Justin Romel Henderson; Ashleigh Simone Phillips, Dallas, TX
Great-Grandchildren: Jamatis Williams; Addison Janyne Sullivan; Aaliyah Nicole; Aubree Rose; Aria Janae; Namaari Shanel
Great Great-Grandchildren: Jacari Williams
Siblings: Herman Combs (Viola); Judy Combs; Daisy Combs
Sister/BFF: Mary Hill
Auntie: Celie Phillips, Nieces & Nephews: Ruby Cooper; Betty Lister; Erma Mitchell; Chris Bell Combs
Bonus Grands: Erica Jackson; Taijah Nelson; Madison Nelson; Jeremy Nelson; Nicolas Nelson; Cody Nelson; Tiauda Thomas; TeQuia Barr; Lessie Howard; Veneigh Howard; Jalisa M Bell; Jacorey D Bell.
Bonus Family: This is represented by the host of family and friends, children, grandchildren, bonus children, nieces and nephews that adopted Myrtle Philllips as their Mom, Granny, Mother Phillips, Auntie, and Sister, including her St. John Church family, Friendship BCCJ family, Denver friends, Jennifer Phillip’s extended family, and Combs and Phillips tribes near and far.
Celebrating a Virtuous Woman Mother Myrtle Combs Phillips
Officiant- Minister Jerry Henderson
Saturday, November 30, 2024 | 11:00 a.m.
PROCESSION
Old Testament – Pastor Charles Osborne, Baptist Temple B.C.
New Testament – Rev Dr. Gregory Hudson, St. Luke CME
Prayer – Pastor Choyce Vincent Webb Sr., St. Paul B.C.
Praise and Worship Team
TRIBUTES
Nieces – Erma Mitchell
Siblings – Daisy Combs Great-Grands
Grandchildren – Antoinette West
Children – Alex Joseph Phillips
Acknowledgement/Resolutions – Daisy Lucille Critton
Musical Selection – Praise and Worship Team
Words of Encouragement – Bishop Charles R. Miller
Solo – Bro. Alex Smith
Eulogy – Pastor Johnnie Butler, Sr.
RECESSIONAL
Interment:
Internment immediately following services @ Round Grove Memorial Gardens – Shreveport, LA 2869 Round Grove Ln, Shreveport, LA 71107
Repast
Repast following interment at St. Luke CME Church
2110 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Shreveport, LA 71107
Active Pallbearers:
Melton Choyce | Peter Phillips | Alvin Coley | Rudolph Bendaw | Michael Sims | Tedd Chambers
Honorary Pallbearers:
Alex J. Phillips | Leon Bryant | Dr. Vern L. Howard | Dezsiray L. Sullivan | Alex J. Sullivan
Reginald J. West | Ashton J. Phillips | Justin R. Henderson | Carle Worthy | Nikita Webb | Melvin L. Phillips
Acknowledgment
The family of Myrtle Combs Phillips
Wishes to thank you most sincerely for your kindness and tenderness. Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair. Maybe you sent those beautiful flowers that we saw sitting there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words. Possibly, you were not there; you thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much for whatever part you played.
Special Thanks
St. John BC Mooringsport, LA, Pastor Johnnie Butler, Sr., Friendship BCCJ Denver CO, Pastor Paul & Evangelist Dallas Burleson. And to Oschner 5th Floor MICU for exceptional care and support.
Services Entrusted to
“ Life doesn’t come with a manual. I’m glad mine came with a MOTHER”. (Tony)
Once you said I have nothing to show from keeping house. Look around we are your legacy and that’s more valuable than worldly gain. I’m grateful for the wealth of knowledge and love. Deborah “If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
Teach your children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” Proverbs 22:1, 6 GNT
Deborah
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. – Matt. 5:8
Your favorite bible verse.
I know God honored your heart’s desire.
We’ll miss you so much on this side...no shenanigans from you and Jenn! Love Annie
Mom, words can’t express the love I feel and have always had for you. The honor and respect you gave and how you opened your heart, and your arms and received me and my children into your life and your family. It’s unmeasurable. I’m gonna miss my Roadbuddy.
You would look at my speedometer to see how fast I was going. The trouble you and I would get into with my wife saying “Y’all can’t go nowhere together because we don’t know how to stay out of trouble”.
Your laugh will be with me through the end of time. And I know that one could never love someone as much as you will miss them, and I miss you dearly.
Love your Special son. Vern
Granny,
Even ough you’re gone now, I feel your love surrounding me still. I’ll always remember your warm spirit, your delicious cooking (especially the Cornbread Dressing and biscuits), phone calls that sometimes lasted for hours, and the wisdom you shared so freely. You were the best grandma anyone could ask for, and I’m so grateful for the time we had together.
Rest in peace, Granny. I love you forever.
Your favorite #1 Grandchild Tennille
My cousins & I always joke about being GG’s favorite. She made everyone she knew feel special, so the debate about GGs favorite was just our way of showing her how special she was to all of us.
Our Granny is a very important piece of our family puzzle. Even though she is home with the Lord, the imprint that her peace left on us will last forever. Get your rest Granny. We all know who GG’s favorite truly is… & that’s ME!!! ��❤
Love Dez ❤️
Rosie gave me life but Granmommy gave me a sense of who I am and where I came from.
Granny was an incredible matriarch. Really, the regal leader in our family. You baked and cooked and babysat and took us shopping and saw our new clothes when we were little. You were always present, part of our everyday lives in such a tangible way. What made my grandmother special? So wonderful? Her elegance. You always looked the picture of perfection and grace. You are so much a part of who I am that even though I knew you would one day leave us, I can’t quite believe you are gone. I come back to this notion that for 33 years, my grandmother has been an influential and important part of my life. Until this last week, I hadn’t realized how truly exceptional that is. Granmommy you impacted my life in so many ways. You shaped who I am. You shaped who my children are. You influenced all of us so greatly. I will always love you and save a special corner of my heart to keep you with me. And I know we will miss you every day of our lives.Rest Granny, I got it from here.
Love you always and forever, JessyGal
Words for “GG” Chocolate couldn’t be more- sweeter than our times spent together. From the songs we sung, the snack we snuck and our laughs we shared. We love and miss you
GG Love You, LeeLee, BreeBree, Ms. Juicy, and Pumkin
Dear GG,
I will miss your smile and your laugher. I will also miss having a competition with my dad to see which one of us could get GG to answer the phone first. ❤
I will always remember how my GG Loved me and how important she is to our family. I Love you & I will always be GG’s Cupcake.
Addison Janyne ❤️
“A Virtuous Woman”
