Missionary Blanche "Essie Dee" Phillips
Missionary Blanche "Essie Dee" Phillips
Missionary Blanche "Essie Dee" Phillips, a beacon of faith and a vessel of God's love, completed her earthly journey and entered into eternal rest on December 8, 2025, at the age of 98. Born on October 12, 1927, in Caryville, Florida, to Clensy Roberts, Sr. and Carrie Newman, Missionary Phillips was a shining example of a life well-lived and well-loved.
In the quaint town of Wimauma, Florida, Missionary Phillips drew her last breath, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith. She was a cherished matriarch whose spirit touched countless lives, both within her family and her community. Her journey on earth may have concluded, but her influence remains as a testament to the power of a life dedicated to God's work.
Missionary Phillips was a woman of remarkable strength and grace, who, alongside her beloved husband, the late Deacon Clayton Phillips, nurtured a family grounded in Christian values. She was a loving mother to her daughters Betty Davis, Evelyn Phillips, and Dr. Brenda "BJ" (Pastor Dr. Celestin) Biandudi. Her heart swelled with pride for her eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, each a precious gift from above, each a continuation of her enduring love.
Her siblings, Hiwatha Washington, Kathleen Faison, and Noreen Finklea, along with sister and brother-in-law Athaline Tolden and James Leamon Phillips, mourn her passing yet celebrate the joy she brought into their lives. Her departure also leaves a void in the hearts of her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends who found in her a source of wisdom, comfort, and inspiration.
Missionary Phillips's life was a testament to her deep-rooted faith. As a lifelong member of the Spirit-Filled Church of God in Christ, she served her church with a passion that was both fervent and contagious. Her involvement in various ministries was not just an obligation but a calling she embraced with every fiber of her being. She was a woman who walked by faith, not by sight, and her spiritual journey was marked by an unwavering commitment to spreading the love of Christ.
Her loving, spirited, and faith-filled nature was evident to all who had the privilege of crossing her path. Missionary Phillips lived her life as a reflection of the Proverbs 31 woman—strong, honorable, and capable. Her words, like a gentle stream, nourished the souls of those around her, and her actions, like a steadfast rock, provided a foundation of support and guidance.
As we bid farewell to Missionary Blanche "Essie Dee" Phillips, let us not dwell on the sorrow of her absence but rejoice in the beauty of her life. Her story does not end here, for she has sown seeds of love and faith that will continue to grow and flourish in the hearts of those she touched. She ran the race set before her with endurance, and now she rests in the glorious presence of her Savior.
Let us honor her memory by living lives that reflect her virtues—lives filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In doing so, we will keep the spirit of Missionary Phillips alive, and her legacy will endure for generations to come
A Home Going celebration will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, December 13, 2025, in the sanctuary of Spirit-Filled Church of God in Christ, 2128 Pate Pond Road, Caryville, Florida with Elder Tony Howard, pastor/officiant.
Interment will follow in the Spirit-Filled Church of God in Christ Cemetery in Caryville, FL under the directions of Christian Memorial Chapel of Graceville.