Lorene Phillips

Lorene and her twin sister, Corinne Phillips, were born on April 12, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Louis Phillips Sr. and Sallie Beatrice Walcott.

Lorene attended school in Atlanta until the eighth grade and then left school to materially and financially support her family.

Sister Phillips began her Christian journey at Ebenezer Baptist Church under Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She later transferred membership to Lindsay Street Baptist Church where she served on the Sr. Usher Board.

At a young age, she met and married Willie Lewis Grimes; to this union were born six children: Curtis (Deniece) Phillips, Phillisene Grimes, Deborah Inise Archie, Willie Jerome (Sandra) Grimes, Bobby Bernard Grimes and Kenneth Carl Grimes.

In 1965, Lorene relocated to Rochester New York where she met and married, Willie Thomas Lee and to that union was born: Harriette Lorraine Lee, Pamala Yuvette Lee and Cheryl Gwennette Lee.

Lorene continued her Christian journey at Peace Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served on the Sr. Usher Board. She worked with the Youth Department and assisted with Vacation Bible School. She moved her membership briefly to Mount Vernon Baptist Church where she worked on the culinary team. She then joined First Genesis Baptist Church. Lorene worked in the Childrens Church and supported numerous ministries. She loved working with children and was instrumental in re-establishing their nursery. During her membership, she studied faithfully and graduated from Catechism Class. She also returned to personal studies to acquire her high school equivalent diploma. She later worked within the Rochester City School District. She was focused on the whole health and full learning for children. She would often seek-out and provide resources to others: advocacy, food, clothing and emergency housing. Love is an action word exemplified by her care for others. Lorene loved the Lord and provided full Godly service (without hesitation or complaint) to the Fathers’ children, wherever she found them. She had a gentle spirit that filled the room with warm and loving service to others, echoing praises to the Lord Jesus with the care of her heart and hands.

Lorene was predeceased by her twin sister Corinne, children Bobby and Harriette and brother Louis Phillips Jr. She leaves behind five siblings: Eddie Louise Sutton, Lewis Phillips III, Patricia McFadden, Hollis Phillips and Isaac Phillips. Seven children, eighteen grand-children and forty-four great grand-children.

She has a host of cousins, relatives and a merry assortment of dear friends. Her loving and Godly spirit will be missed but celebrated in the light of love and fellowship she held so dear.