Mrs. doris JEAN phillips
MOTHER
GRANDMOTHER
AUNT
MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
MATRIARCH.
Doris Jean (Williams) Phillips was born on January 19, 1930 in Dallas, Texas to James Williams and Lucy (Gates) Williams.
She was the sixth of seven children. At 17 years old Doris relocated to Oakland with her family. There she attended and graduated from McClymonds High School, in Oakland, CA.
In 1950, Doris married Earl Terrell Phillips. They moved to San Francisco and resided in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood from 1950 until the time of her death. Doris and Earl had 8 children: Earl, Gant, Donald, Faith, Doris Jr., Victor, Firdi, and James. As a family, they enjoyed camping and road trips, and operated several businesses including two neighborhood grocery stores, a barbecue pit, and a catering truck called the Batmobile.
Doris also worked faithfully alongside her husband as he pastored First Faith Youth Missionary Baptist Church. When Earl fell ill in 1972, she cared for him and their children. Earl passed away in 1977, after nearly twenty-seven years of marriage. Following his death, Doris continued their business ventures by investing in real estate and operating Phillips Residential Care Homes from 1979-1992. She never remarried, honoring her husband and family until her last breath, just as he had done.
Doris’ strong spirit was rooted in her love and faith in God. She joined Galilee Baptist Church and in her later years, was selected to serve as Mother of The Church. When not at church, she supported her children, tended to her backyard, people watched from her bay windows, cooked, cared for her pets, and spent time with family and friends. She loved family gatherings, trips, and holidays, especially Christmas. Her home was always open, and visitors were sure to be fed. Doris was known best for her famous peach cobbler and pink cake!
Doris’ family remembers her as a genuinely sweet and kind-hearted woman, always ready to lend a helping hand. Nurturing and compassionate, she made everyone feel valued and cherished. With a no-nonsense attitude and no interest in gossip, she approached life with integrity, making her a trusted confidante for those seeking advice or someone to confide in. She was a woman of wisdom. Her sincerity and gentle nature provided comfort to all who knew her, making her a truly caring and giving soul.
GRANDMA’S WISDOM
“Well, I pretty well did the things I wanted to do. I have a beautiful family and a wonderful childhood. I enjoyed life and I had great friends. It was just lovely and peaceful.”
— DORIS PHILLIPS
“The reason this generation is like they are now is because they don’t get enough love & appreciation. Let them know that you want to be with them, you want to help them, but also that you want to see them doing right. That’s the love part.”
— Doris Phillips
“Focus on yourself and on doing what’s right. Help yourself and help others when you can. Do your best to speak to people and treat people in the way that you want to be treated. Now, that’s a beginning.”
— DORIS PHILLIPS
Her Story. Our Legacy. Interview on January 19, 2016
By Jarrel Michael Phillips
On January 19, 2016, Jarrel Phillips (grandson) interviewed Doris Phillips about her life, while she sat comfy in her armchair. The following interview has been condensed and edited. To our wise elder and a true matriarch.
INTRODUCTION
Jarrel Phillips: It’s your birthday today.
Doris Phillips: Yes, and I enjoyed my birthday. We went up to Lake Tahoe this time and we ate and we went sightseeing. I enjoyed the snow. Now I’m back home just relaxing. It was a wonderful, blessed birthday.
Jarrel: Is there anything special you like to do on your birthday? If you had a wish for your birthday, what would it be?
Doris: A wish for my birthday? I don’t know… I would like another great dinner.
Jarrel: Can you start by introducing yourself?
Doris: I’m Doris Phillips and I’m being interviewed by my grandson, Jarrel Phillips. I was born on January 19, 1930 into the family of James and Lucy Williams in Dallas, Texas. It was a family of three boys and four girls.
Jarrel: Why did you move out here to California?
Doris: Doris:My family moved out here when I was 17 years old. Lots of black families during and after the war were coming out here for war jobs. My oldest brother went to World War I. When he came back the police and many others were hard on the black soldiers who were returning, so my father decided to move to Arizona.
My father’s brother had purchased a lot of land and property in Arizona and told my father he would give him a couple of little lots if he came to Arizona. That’s why we were going there, but first, we went through San Francisco to visit my sister and we stayed with her. She was working in the defense department so she got my dad a job while we were staying with her. He was working to get some money so he could build two houses when he got to Arizona but he passed away before we got a chance to go and so the family just stayed here in California.
Family, Home and Environment
Jarrel: What were your parents like?
Doris: Oh, I had a great father and mother. Life was wonderful and we always had a great time. Holidays were big in our family. We celebrated all the holidays, especially Christmas. That was a big celebration, so it was especially nice……