Ophelia Phillips

The Beautiful Ophelia Phillips was a bright light that shined on this earth for 91 years. She was the oldest of four children born to Bud and Ida Bell Archie in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ophelia was raised by her mother and grandparents.

As a child Ophelia attended school in Little Rock, Arkansas. At a young age she became a mother to Sally Archie.  Then  as a young adult she met and married Exie Phillips Sr. and had three children, Eddie Mae (Doll), Exie Jr. and Gerald. After becoming a widow, Ophelia moved to Arizona where she met Nathaniel Franklin Sr., and they had five children: Nathaniel Jr., Sheila, Sharon, Earl and Gary.

Ophelia later moved to Portland for a better life for her and her children. She met Dennis Waters Jr. and out of this union Dennis III was born. She worked as a private Home Care Worker for several years and was very passionate about caring for the elderly. She later retired to take care of her family.

Ophelia loved fishing, dancing, playing cards, traveling and hanging out with her friends. She loved music and Marvin Gaye was her favorite artist, so much so, that she named her companion dog Marvin Gaye Phillips! She especially loved gospel music and her favorite song was A Sinner’s Prayer by Dietrick Haddon.

In the early 1970s Ophelia gave her life to Christ and became a member (the very 1st member) of Solid Rock C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor A.R. Hopkins Sr. where she remained a member, even when she could no longer attend due to health reasons.

She loved to cook and would often cook meals and sell dinners for the church. She would feed anyone who was hungry and there were always children at her home because they knew they were going to get a good home-cooked meal. Ophelia never met a stranger, and once you met her, you fell in love with her! She was a fun, loving individual who was full of life and had the most beautiful smile. She would keep you laughing and there was never a dull moment while in her company. She gave the best advice and “didn’t pull any punches!” She always had a scripture for you and could quote them off the top of her head and could tell you where to find them.

Ophelia was preceded in death by her husband, Exie Sr., her Mother Ida Bell and Father Bud, Brother Junior Boy, Sister Lily Mae; Children: Earl, Sally, Gerald, Sheila, Sharon and Doll and Granddaughter, Cathy.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Her Brother Johnny (Pumpkin); Sons: Exie, Nathaniel (Angel), Gary and Dennis. Grandchildren: Cookie, Susie (Darrel), Anthony (Anna) Trish, Birdie, Cheree, Shantel, Exie III, Gerald Earl, Sherronda, Sherone, Stephanie Nathaniel III, Priscilla, Eric Earl, Gary Jr.  and Demi. She also leaves a host of great, great-great grandchildren, relatives and friends  who she loved dearly.

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