Melvin Lee Phillips was born on February 26, 1937 to Willie Phillips and Maime Lamb Phillips in Norfolk County, Va. (now Chesapeake, Va.). He spent his early years being a part of the Great Road (now Whittamore Road) community where he made lifelong friends and gained a passion for music and uplifting the name of Jesus in song. Melvin was affectionately called “Bailey” as his nickname by his siblings. He would later earn the nicknames of “Pop”, “Papa Smurf”, and “Daddy Melvin”.
Melvin Lee Phillips was educated in the Norfolk County Public Schools for blacks from elementary through high school. He attended Fentress and Bells Mills Elementary, Norfolk County Middle School and Crestwood High School. His class (Class of 1955) was the first class to graduate from the new high school. He received a very good education because he would always remind us of how intelligent and brilliant he was. Melvin proved it in his ability to maintain facts and was the family’s historian. He loved to read the newspaper daily and cut-out articles on local Hampton Roads talent.
Melvin Lee Phillips grew up in a rural part of Chesapeake but that didn’t stop him from having ambition and a vision to make money and make a difference. He took an interest in music at an early age. He was instrumental in starting a gospel group called The Shining Light Gospel Singers. He became a Minister of Music where he played for various choirs, churches, nursing homes, and funeral homes until he retired in 2018. He loved it! He enjoyed travelling the local circuit to play the piano and sing in concerts, choir unions, weddings, choir anniversaries and ministers sing-a-rama. He worked at C. E. Davis Grain Company as a Truck Driver for many years.
Melvin Lee Phillips had an appointment that we must all attend. It can’t be rescheduled or ever delayed. Before you take your first breath of life, or you’re given a name…the appointment date is already set. It can’t be changed. Melvin Lee Phillips’ appointment was Thursday, May 28, 2020 where he peacefully and quietly checked in for his appointment with God. He didn’t have to call Jose or Lindora for a ride on this journey. He let them rest while he took his eternal flight from his earthly home in Norfolk, Virginia. Melvin was blessed to be here for 83 years. He was predeceased by his parents, two siblings (William Phillips Sr. (“Pig”) and Willie L. Phillips Jr. (“Frog”), grand-daughter (De’Jana M. Leary), and grand-son (Jaylon J. Leary).
Melvin Lee Phillips was a lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area and lived in the South Norfolk section of Norfolk for over 60 years! He leaves to cherish his legacy: his daughter, Carsietta D. Burke; his son Jose J. Leary Sr. (Lindora); his sisters Shirley Gregory and Virtley M. Gregory (Carl); his Sister-in-Law, Shirley Phillips; his Aunt; Betsy Wright; 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
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Personal Service, Peace of Mind, Pleasant Memories
© Metropolitan Funeral Service
Lisa Cox Lemon and family says
June 5, 2020 at 6:28 pmMay you find comfort and healing in the thoughts and prayers from family and friends, as you mourn the loss of your loved one.
Lindora says
June 12, 2020 at 10:30 amThank you
Johnny & Estherine J. Harding says
June 6, 2020 at 9:50 amTo the family and friends of Rev. Melvin Phillips, you have my deepest sympathy and prayers. Rev. Phillips will be greatly missed by so very many. I truly enjoyed his music and how he ushered in the “holy spirit” most especially when he sang “Overflow.”
Rev. Phillips, take your rest, We all love you; however, God loves you best.
JAMES R BRADLEY says
June 8, 2020 at 7:04 pmWith Prayers and Heartfelt Sympathy: Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted. May God be your tender comfort in sorrow and bring peace and strength in the days to come.
THE ” BRADLEY FAMILY”
JAMES HOOD CHAPEL AME ZION CHURCH says
June 8, 2020 at 7:16 pmjUST AS THE SUN WILL SET THEN RISE WITH EACH AND EVERYDAWN,THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO LIVED LIFE WELL ETERNALLY LIVE ON..nOW THAT THE SUN HAS SEEMED TO SET ON ONE SO VERY DEAR, PLEASE KNOW A SOUL WHO LIVED SO WELL REMAINS FOREVER NEAR.
HOOD CHAPEL CHURCH FAMILY
Pastor Charles Reid, Jr. - Killeen, Texas (Piney Grove Baptist - Holland Road) says
June 8, 2020 at 10:04 pmOur condolence to the family and friends of The Rev. Melvin Phillips! I will ALWAYS remember him as one of the lead musicians in Tidewater! Wherever he ministered, it was a lively and Holy Ghost spirited moment! We pray that God would give peace during this time!
Karen Moore says
June 13, 2020 at 11:58 amMay The Work I Done Speak For Me.Lord He Could Sing That Song!!Take Your Well Deserved Rest Cousin Melvin.Fond Memories
Hedy Bullock says
June 9, 2020 at 5:38 pmDear Phillips Family, My Condolences goes out to your Family. Brother Phillips had a Gospel Singing Group call the Shineing Light Gospel Singers they would travel with my family singing Group Mother Nancy Thomas and the Southside Crusaders along with Sister Dorothy Stokes and the Gospel Cords. We would look forward to each other Anniversaries. Those were the good old days. Brother Melvin Phillips your Piano playing would always take me back to the old days. You will be miss, Hedy Thomas Bullock
Olivia wilkins-Martin & Family says
June 10, 2020 at 12:03 pmDear Family, Please accept my sincere and deepest condolences in the passing of your loved Melvin. I met Melvin in the early 60’s and he has been a family friend every since As a former member of the Gospel Travelers of Norfolk, we fellowshipped a lot during that time. Melvin was also the organist for the Male Chorus at our church. He will be truly missed by everyone that knew him. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. He was really one of a kind and loved by so many.
PROVIDENCE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST says
June 10, 2020 at 7:59 pmTO THE FAMILY OF REV MELVIN PHILLIPS. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU.
Paulette Barringer and #2 Usherboard says
June 12, 2020 at 3:08 pmMy deepest condolences to the family of Rev. Melvin Phillips. We members of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Va. Beach want to express our Love for Rev. Phillips and want the family to know he was a loyal and faithful friend to us.God bless you in your heavenly home.
Dwight nichols and male chorus of MSBC! says
June 12, 2020 at 3:33 pmMy deepest condolences to the family of rev.philips. We members of MSBCVB! Want to express our love and kindest the male chorus thank you for all you done you been playing for us for 62 years and to god be the glory for the things he done. And to the family may the lord god bless you and keep you the lord causes his face to
Shine upon you and be gracious unto you may the lord lift the light of his countness upon you and give you his peace you’re going out and youre coming in and your laboring and leisure in your joy and your sorrow and your laughter and your tears until that day when we meet the lord face to face we cry holy holy to the lord of host until that day my brothers my sisters go in peace go in love go in joy may the god of peace, love and joy who helps us deal with the madness that meets the massive may the god of peace ,love and joy go with you now and forever more in Jesus name amen
Consuela says
June 12, 2020 at 9:06 pmThe great, the awesome and the most talented man I know since a little girl, my cousin Melvin Phillips! I often wished to play that piano like you I think I got the singing part. Cousin Melvin nobody walking this earth will ever pluck them keys like you! We will greatly miss you but never will you be forgotten. Rest my cousin and in your words……don’t worry bout me, when you hear of my homegoing dont worry bout me I’m just another soldier on my way home!!!! Praying for you family????❤
Rev. Michael Toliver says
June 12, 2020 at 10:00 pmThe person and talent of Melvin Phillips shall be a long remembered gift of the kingdom. May he Rest In Peace.
Augustine Selden and Joseph Selden says
June 12, 2020 at 10:30 pmTo the family of Rev. Melvin Phillips who was a dedicated musician who loved people and to praise God. Many requested him to sing “Ninety-nine And A Half Won’t Do” and he strived to make a hundred. I won’t say goodbye to him I will say see you later Rev. Phillips. I pray that God will forever bless you with fond memories always.
Dea. Ronell and Joyce Nichols says
June 12, 2020 at 11:17 pmWe pray that God will give all of you the comfort that you will need to get through your lost. Prayer are going out for all of you.
Dea. Ronell and Joyce Nichols says
June 12, 2020 at 11:18 pmWe pray that God will give all of you the comfort that you will need to get through your lost. Prayer are going out for all of you.reply
E. Diane Smith , Allen Smith says
June 13, 2020 at 10:26 amI really loved this man! He may not have written the song, ‘ Give Me My Flowers While I’m Living ‘, but he lived it! Never said no, to serving, if he could. . To the family! Carry on his legacy! Follow Christ! We will rejoice, when we meet again on glory!
KINGSLEY ABAKPA says
June 13, 2020 at 1:11 pmMy Dear Carsietta,
Please accept my sincere condolence on the passing to eternal rest of your beloved father. Be proud of your father for a life well lived to the service of his creator. May his kind, loving and gentle soul rest in the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Linda Banks and The Banks family says
June 13, 2020 at 3:21 pmDear Carsietta, We pray that God will comfort you and your family during the passing of your father. May his soul rest in peace until we all meet again.
Sylvester Starkes says
June 13, 2020 at 5:18 pmRest in Peace my friend, may your works forever speak for you! Much love!
Lamont Simmons says
June 15, 2020 at 5:17 pm“My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends, colleagues and neighbors on the passing of the beloved Melvin. He is sorely missed.”
Dr. Clarence and Orene Miller says
June 15, 2020 at 6:18 pmEarth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Another gifted musician has transitioned from this life to join his fellow shining lights of old. RIP.
Coleen Norman says
June 24, 2020 at 7:51 pmMy deepest sympathy to the Family. May God comfort and strengthen you all. Melvin will be missed and was loved by us all. Sincerely,
Norman, Epps, and Turner family
P 757.628.1000 • F 757.545.9148