Arlene A. Phillips

The Obituary

Arlene A. Phillips was born on September 12, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA the daughter of Addie B. Phillips Smith and Stepfather, William W. Smith, Sr. who both preceded her in death. She was the eldest of three children, Joyce Neal and the late William (Billy) Smith, and God brothers Charles Newman, and the late Paul J. Newman, Sr.

Arlene was educated in the School District of Philadelphia (Arnold, Fitzsimons and Germantown) and she took real estate classes at Temple University.

She was employed by General Electric, IRS, Fannie Mae and Iron Mountain.

Arlene was baptized at an early age at the family church, Miller Memorial Baptist Church by Rev J. Luke Jones, and attended numerous church activities.

She was the first grandchild of Robert (Pop) and Beatrice (Nana) Phillips and lived in a loving home with her parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. Later she remained with her grandparents on 21st in North Philadelphia.  

Growing up, Arlene was an active tennis player, and loved to play backgammon and pokeno. She enjoyed outings with her family, attending the annual 4th of July family picnics, having lunch and dinners with her aunties, and spending time with her siblings and cousins. Arlene loved her nieces, nephews and Godchild and lavished them with time, attention and gifts.   She enjoyed entertaining and socializing. Arlene had a knack for creating elaborate stories to see if the younger ones believed her.  In her later years as she became the family matriarch, she used this title to her advantage by lovingly ordering everyone around.    

Arlene was outgoing and maintained life-long friendships. Some of the groups she loved being a part of were Rho Chi Toura, a high school sorority, in which the girls had a lot of fun; her junior high school reunion group from Fitzsimons, and the mighty Red Hatters.

Arlene was an avid shopper, she had a flair for style and fashion. She loved to travel and this was evidenced by her many trips to the Caribbean and the number of cruises she took. These travel stops had to include casinos as she was no stranger to slot machines. Arlene had her favorite slots in all of the casinos she visited, and she visited all of them. Las Vegas expected her every year, Harrahs of Philadelphia expected her every New Year’s Day, but she visited the other casinos at the drop of a hat.

The family will not miss her Thanksgiving mystery dishes, however we will miss her delicious chili. We will miss her smiling face, her sense of humor, and all the love she gave to her family and friends.

By the will of God she was granted rest on August 8, 2021.

Left to celebrate her life are her sister, Joyce, her God-brother Charles, God-sister Gail (Melvin), God-son Jerrold, nieces, nephews, special first cousins, cousins, sisters-in-law and many close friends.

Submitted With Love,

The Family  

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