THE OBITUARY
Genevieve Elizabeth Phillips was born March 24, 1931. Preceding her in death was her grandmother Mary Jane Hadley, her mother Marlyn Chuney and father Woodson Chuney, Jr. plus four other siblings Carl, Calvin, Evon and Jimmy.
Genevieve was educated in the Detroit Public School system and graduated from Miller High School in 1949. Later, she earned college credits by taking business courses. She met and later married Donald Edward Phillips, Sr. in 1950. Genevieve had seven beautiful children, Donald, Jr., Barbara Jean (preceding her in death), Marilyn (preceding her in death), Calvin (preceding her in death), Anita, Genevieve, II and Lynn.
Genevieve enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, cooking and spending time at home with her family and friends. Genevieve was an excellent cook and believed in making meals from scratch which she learned from her grandmother. She passed this gift onto her name sake Genevieve. She was also a music lover. She loved listening to the blues and jazz. Some of her favorite entertainers were B.B. King (‘The Thrill is Gone’), Bobby Blue Bland, Ray Charles and Prince. As a child, Genevieve was raised by her grandmother, Mary Jane Hadley. She was also surrounded by the love of many aunts and uncles as she grew to be a young adult.
Genevieve accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and attended Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Later, she became a faithful member of Second Ebenezer Church in 2002 until she became ill and was unable to attend. She was employed as a teachers’ aid in the Detroit Public Schools and later employed in 1969 as a senior clerk with the City of Detroit. She was a dedicated and hard worker with the Detroit Public Library for twenty- ve years and retired in 1995. She was also an active member of Council 25, AFSCME, AFL-CIO.
Genevieve loved all of her children deeply. She was very smart and full of wisdom. She had the ability to sense when things changed and she knew her children better than they knew themselves. She was a loving and caring Mother and dedicated her life to raising them and ensuring they become independent, self- suf cient contributing members of society.
She believed in family and supporting each other.
Left to cherish her memory are: her 4 children, Donald E. Phillips Jr., Anita E. Hampton, Genevieve Phillips, II and Lynn J. Phillips. – 2 brothers Milton Chuney, Melvin Chuney (Janie – preceded in death), 1 sister Shirley Lewis (Michael),
1 brother in-law J.C. Douglas and 1 sister-in-law Elaine Chuney in Detroit, MI. 7 Grandchildren – Francesca M. Phillips, Larry A.C. Phillips, Genevieve D. M. Phillips, Christopher D. Phillips, DaVone Phillips,
Tenisha D. Hampton, and Curtis Lee Hampton, Jr.
15 Great Grandchildren – Isaiah Giatu, Larry A. Phillips-Flagg, Tatiyana Flagg, Marilyn Wesley, Tamaira Phillips, Christopher D. James, Tarik Woodward, Davone Cato, Nura A. Jones, Bilal I. Jones, Maryam A. Jones, Jameel A. Jones, Erik C. Hampton, Curtis L. Hampton III, Ethan C. Hampton, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A special thanks to the staff of St. John Hospital – Moross and the many caregivers, doctors and nurses who assisted with her care.
