Evangelist China Mae Phillips transitioned to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 29, 2021, in the care of her family.
She was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on April 16, 1930, to John Boyd and Ella Louise (Shields) Boyd. Under the leadership of Altora Townsend, China Mae was baptized in Jesus' name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost where she served for many years. China Mae was an active member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and a member of the Northern District Council.
China Mae married Thomas C. Phillips on July 24, 1964, and moved to Benton Harbor Michigan, and served under the leadership of pastor W.H. Hunter. To this union, China Mae inherited three beautiful children, Elmer C. Phillips, Zelma K. Holloway, and Thera Fay Love. She served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, Evangelist, Usher, and a member of the missionary choir and altar worker under Pastor W.H. Hunter at Bethlehem Temple. Upon the passing of Pastor W.H. Hunter, China Mae served under the late Eld. George Dewberry.
China Mae also served under Bishop Henry R. Griffin as his assistant pastor. As time progressed, China was led to assist her sister, Pastor Ollie Mae Rudolph, at the Bethlehem Temple of Springfield Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. Upon the passing of her sister, she attended Apostolic Tabernacle until she was not able to attend services and moved to Gary, Indiana with her daughter. She enjoyed traveling, going to conventions as well as traveling to Gary, Indiana to hear the word from Bishop George L. Stearnes. She enjoyed preaching at Women's Day services and leading praise and worship/testimony services.
China Mae was not hesitant with starting praise and worship service with one of her many favorite songs “I said I wasn't going to tell nobody" while allowing the spirit to take over. China's main message to those she preached the word to was “You got to be Holy"!!!!
Evangelist China Mae Phillips is survived by daughter's Zelma K. Holloway of Gary, Indiana, Thera Fay (Lester) Love of Benton Harbor Michigan. Sister-n-law Katie Phillips, special cousins Joseph Bass, Jr. of Battle Creek, Ruby (James) Woods of Battle Creek; 2 special nephews, 10 amazing grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren and a host of sisters and brothers in Christ and extended family.
China Mae was preceded in death by her parents, special father L.T. James, husband Thomas C. Phillips, son Elmer C. Phillips, daughter-in-law Wilma Phillips, Granddaughter Toya Phillips, son-in-law George H. Holloway.
She will be missed by all who had the pleasure of being touched by her life.
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