Herbert "Junior" Phillips, Jr.

Herbert “Junior” Phillips, Jr. was born on the tenth day of January 1944, to the parentage of Herbert, Sr. & Everline (Craig) Phillips in Centerville, Texas. He attended Douglass High School and began attending Ebenezer Baptist Church at an early age.

Junior was a lifelong resident of Centerville, Texas and somewhat of a public figure around the town. Not many people in Centerville didn’t know Junior or his brother, Joe Elmer. One could usually find them both hanging out near the “bench of knowledge” at the old Lacey’s Grocery Store. In his younger years, Junior spent many hours helping out his friend, James O. Hill and working in the meat department at Hill Grocery, as well as later when it became Woody’s Grocery & Processing. Junior and his brother were also caretakers of several of the local stray dogs in Centerville who didn’t have homes. Later in his life, Junior enjoyed being hosted lunch and dinner by the crew at Country Cousins. Junior will be missed not only by his family, but by the entire community.

On the third day of March 2022, the Lord called Junior home. He passed away at CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital at 8:30 P.M.

Junior was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Phillips; mother, Everline Phillips; brother, R.B. Phillips and sisters, Francis Hutchinson, Letha Phillips, Billie Phillips, Essie Phillips and Ellen Phillips.

He leaves to cherish his memory, siblings, Vester Brown, Gloria Phillips, Lois Proctor and Loula Phillips, all of Houston and Virginia Phillips and Laura Phillips, both of Centerville and brother, Joe Elmer Phillips of Centerville, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends who loved him.


Homegoing services for Junior will be held 2 P.M., Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Centerville, Texas. Interment will follow in Centerville Community Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.