The Rev. Norman Phillips, 78, of Greensboro, died Thursday, March 13, 2026. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 21, at 1:00 p.m. at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Boligee, with Rev. Christopher Stephney officiating and Sister Scheree Datcher serving as mistress of ceremony.
Rev. Phillips was born February 6, 1948, in Greensboro to the late Rev. Joseph Phillips, Sr. and Louise Sledge Phillips. He was educated in the Greensboro Public School System. At the age of 14, he relocated with his family to Cincinnati, Ohio. He later moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he began a 30-year career with Ford Motor Company, retiring in 1998.
In 1980, he joined Pilgrim Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, where he was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Charlie Knighten. He served on the Deacon Board, taught Sunday School, and sang in the Male Chorus. It was during this time that he answered his call to preach.
He married Annie Butler on June 8, 2002. The couple later returned to his hometown of Greensboro, where he rejoined his childhood church, Cassimore A.M.E. Church, under the leadership of Rev. Staley Hickey III. Rev. Phillips was a hardworking man who found joy in farming and riding his tractor. He and his wife lovingly cared for two donkeys, Mort and Mindy, which eventually grew into a herd of ten.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Annie Williams, Ann Phillips, and MarJoyce Wise; and one brother, Rev. Perry Phillips.
He is survived by his wife, Annie Phillips; one daughter, Cynthia Bailey of Detroit, Michigan; one son, Johnny Butler of Greensboro; one brother, Joseph Phillips (Christine) of El Paso, Texas; five sisters, Delcenia Phillips of Westland, Michigan, Mary Butler (Williams) of Detroit, Michigan, Rosie Brown of Birmingham, Fannie Locket (Lance) of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Ophelia Paige of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law Archie Williams, Sr. of Anniston; sisters-in-law Conceitia (Howard) Crumpton of Augusta, Georgia, and Bonnie Rand of Montgomery; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
