Hazel Mae Phillips

Hazel Mae Phillips, daughter of the late Jessie and Estella Jefferson Neely, was born February 10, 1933, in Water Valley, MS.

Hazel Mae, as she was called, was reared in a Christian home. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Green Goshen C.M.E. Church in Water Valley, MS, where she remained an active member until her death. Hazel had a beautiful voice and was member of the choir. On many occasions, she, along with her husband and father-in-law, would be asked to sing at different churches throughout the area.

She was united in matrimony to Freddie Phillips, Sr. on August 11, 1951, and to this union nine beautiful children were born.

She was employed as a bus driver by Water Valley School District and retired after 15 years of service.

Hazel was a very family-oriented person and a doting mother. She absolutely loved her children and always found comfort in just being able to see them. She also loved harvest season, cooking, going to church, going to yard sales and antique furniture shopping.

On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi, Hazel traded her earthly life for eternal life with the Lord. Her memories will be cherished, and her legacy will be continued by her children, Freddie Phillips, Jr. (Bobbie) of Horn Lake, MS, Pastor Michael Phillips (Sherry),  of Water Valley, MS, Georgia P. Barry (Tommie) of Memphis, TN, Mary H. Rockette (Franklin), Margaret Bradford, Linda P. Johnson (Henry), and Carla P. Baskin (Rodney) all of Water Valley, MS; 26 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; special niece, Bobbie Faye Adams of Water Valley, MS; a special nephew, Larry Phillips of Dallas, TX; caretaker, Betty Ann Rucker of Water Valley, MS; a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie Phillips, Sr., sons, Russell Phillips and James Marshall Phillips, grandchildren, Fredye Joanna Baskin and Thomas Leonard Barry, parents, and all her siblings, Joe Lewis Neely, James Wilson Caldwell, Roger Caldwell, K.T. Jefferson, Jessie Neely, Jr., Mary Matthew, Virtia Lee Brown, Johnnie Taylor, Fred Earl Neely, and L.Z. Neely.