eloise

The Mass of the Resurrection

In Celebration of the Life of

Claristine Eloise Aroer Phills

Sunrise: February 4th 1916 / Sunset March 11th 2005

Saturday, March 19th 2005 at 10 a.m.

Celebrant: The Rev. Audrey Bailey

Guest Preacher: The Rev. E. Ulric Commissiong-Jones

Organist: Mr. E. James Reid

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

777 East 222nd Street Bronx, New York 10467

Order of Service

ORGAN PRELUDE

RECEPTION OF THE BODY

Pg. 466

THE OPENING SENTENCES

Pg. 491

INTROIT HYMN

"How Great Thou Art"#60*

THE COLLECT

Pg. 493

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 61:1-3

Bryan King

PSALM 23

Pg. 473

THE EPISTLE: Revelation 7:9-17

Cheryl King

HYMN

"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"#109*

THE GOSPEL: John 14:1-6

SOLO

"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"Andrea Lewis

HYMN

"How Sweet The Name Of Jesus"#644

THE SERMON..Rev. E.Ulric Commissiong-Jones

THE APOSTLES' CREED

Pg. 496

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Pg. 497 Rev. Audrey Bailey

SONG

" The Gift Of Love"By the Grandchildren

Dr. Cherene King, Reisha Phills, Debra King,

Michelle and Nicole Hercules

THE EUCHARIST

COMMUNION HYMNS

#181*, 184*; #335

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Pg. 498

THE COMMENDATION

Pg. 499

THE EULOGY

Asquith Phills

TRIBUTES

(Maximum 2 minutes)

SOLO

"Ave Maria"Dr. Barbara Gadegbeku

HYMN

"Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken"#522

RECESSIONAL

Pg. 500

* LEVAS

Eulogy of Eloise Phills

Claristine Eloise Aroer Phills, fondly called "Moths" by her grandchildren and "Doll" and "Aunt Elo" by her many nieces and nephews, was the ninth of eleven children of James and Millicent. She was born on February 4, 1916, on the Island of St Vincent, and received her elementary education at the Belair Anglican School, under the Headmastership of her father. She was a teacher at the Belair Anglican School and Postmistress at the Calliaqua Post Office. She married Charles Rupert Phills on August 12, 1942 and this union produced five children, namely, Arthur, Cheryl, Vincent, Asquith, and Hazeldene. Following the death of her beloved husband, Charles Rupert Phills on September 4, 1954, Eloise worked at the Banana Growers Association in St. Vincent. She was active in her community at St. Paul's Church in Calliaqua as a choir member and a member of the Mothers Union Guild. She was also a Girl Guide in her youth and was a member of the Mechanics Lodge as an adult. On February 27, 1960 she immigrated to the U.S.A. In her pursuit of higher education, she graduated from Monroe Business Institute in New York, and worked for the New York City Retirement System for 28 years. She was a member of the congregation at St.Luke's Episcopal Church in the Bronx where she was a member of the Daughters of the King.

Eloise gave generously of herself and expected nothing in return. Her spirit of generosity transcended the confines of family boundaries and touched the lives of many who came to know her. Entertaining was a way of life for her and she welcomed all with open arms. Her home was a home to all. However, it was the love of family that ignited the fiber of her being and stirred the passion of her soul. Throughout her life, she remained keenly involved in all of the activities of her children and grandchildren in whom she instilled the value of education and religion. Fellowship and bonding were of paramount importance to her.

Eloise was an extremely unselfish person who cared more for others than she cared for herself. She is best characterized for her outpouring of love and affection for all. She has lived a good life, filled with love, not just for her children, but for her extended family and friends. She will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, a contagious smile, pleasant demeanor and forgiving nature. She was devoted to her God, her family and her friends. These qualities have been the hallmark of her life. The positive legacy she has left is reflected in the many messages of condolence received by her family. She is now resting peacefully. Her spirit will live on in our hearts and minds. She was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. How blessed we all are to have experienced her love in our lives.

Left to mourn are her children Artie and wife Sylvanie, Cheryl and husband Dr. Baldwin King, Vincent and wife Val, Asquith and wife Christine and Hazeldene and husband Wendell Hercules. Grandchildren include Reisha and Daryl Phills, Bryan, Dr. Cherene and Debra King, Janel and Jonathan Phills, Cameron and Adrian Phills, Michelle, Nicole and Colin Hercules, Nakia Eldridge, Charelle Sanford and Johanna James. Also left to mourn are sister Edna Dougan and sister-in-law Sarah Stephens in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sister-in-law Leila Walker in New York. Also Carmen Phills, Marcia, Colville, Rochelle, Alicia and Shayne Richards, Andre, Carol, Andrea and Anthony Lewis, and Jennifer and Kevin Brown, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May she rest in peace.

Acknowledgement

The family of Eloise Phills would like to thank everyone who sympathized with them at this sad time.

We pray thee, O Lord, that thou wilt keep in thy tender love this life that we hold in blessed memory. Help us, who continue here, to serve thee with constancy, trusting in the promises of eternal life; that hereafter we may be united with thy blessed children in the glory of thy Presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Interment

Interment will be at The Woodlawn Cemetery at Webster Ave and 233rd Street,

Bronx, New York 10470, following the funeral service.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to:

McCall's Bronxwood Funeral Home, Inc.

4035 Bronxwood Ave

Bronx, NY 10466

(718)-231-7647

(718)-231-7665 Fax

May I Go Now?

May I go now? Do you think the time is right?

May I say good-bye to pain filled days and lonely nights?

I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be

So, can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might

But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.

I want to go. I really do. It's difficult to stay

To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears

I know you're sad and afraid because I see your tears.

I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know

That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you for loving me, you know I love you too

That's why it's hard to say good-bye and end this life with you.

So hold me now, just one more time and let me hear you say.

Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I'm resting now, in peace with the Lord.

But my spirit shall always be with you.

The love I have for each of you even death can't take apart.

For I took that love along with me embedded in my heart.

Always think of the good times we shared,

Not the ones we could have had.

Continue to share those happy times,

Lift up your heads and don't be sad.

For only the Father knows for sure which one of us He'll call,

He's taken me to be with Him but remember I love you all.

(Poem by Arlene Tyler - Sarah Clarke's granddaughter)

"THE LAST REQUEST"

Please don't say that I gave up,

Just say that I gave in.

Don't say I lost the battle,

For it was GOD'S war to lose or win;

Please don't say how good I was, But that I did my best;

Just say I tried to do what's right,

To give the most I could, not less;

Please don't give me wings or halos, That's for GOD to do;

I want no more than I deserve, No extras, just my due.

Please don't give me flowers, or talk in real hushed tones;

Don't be concerned about me now

I'm well with GOD, I've made it home;

Don't talk about my situation, it's over and it's done

Just see to all my family's needs, Especially the little ones;

When you draw a picture of me, Don't draw me as a saint

I've done some good; I've done some wrong;

So use all paint. Not just the bright and light tones,

Use some gray and dark, in fact; don't put me down on a canvas,

Paint me in your heart.

Don't just remember the good times, But also remember the bad

For life is full of many things, Some happy and some sad

But if you must do something, Then I have one request;

Forgive me for the wrong I've done, and with the love that's left

Thank God for my soul's resting,

Thank GOD, for I've been blessed.

Thank GOD for all who loved me,

Praise GOD who loved me best

(Poem by Arlene Tyler - Sarah Clarke's granddaughter)

TESTIMONIALS

- May her soul rest in peace. Aunt Elo was a great lady. She was truly a wonderful

woman.

- To know her is to love her. I know I am a better person for simply having been in her

loving presence and spirit. How blessed we all are to have experienced the warmth

of "Aunt Eloise" in our lives. The heavens are smiling with her amongst them!

- Blessings to you all as you remain in our thoughts and prayers.

- I trust your dear mother's passing brings you far more of gratitude and peace than of

sorrow.

- She was indeed a great lady, and had to meet a good many more challenges than

most of us.

- These can be very difficult times, but I know that you will be reassured that she lived

a full and fruitful life.

- I know your Mother did not want to leave you. But she is with her Jesus now, and I

hope you can take some comfort in that.

- The Lord has blessed us all through Eloise. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,

sincere condolences to all.

- Please accept my condolences on your Mom's passing. May she rest in peace.

She had a good long life, and may all the pleasant memories that you have of her

comfort you and the family. Those memories will remain forever; the pain of her loss

will pass, with time.

- Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the sad news of your loss. Your Mom was

one whom I admired, adored and thought of most dearly; when I saw her on my visit

to New York in May last year, in spite of being on her sick bed, she remained in high

spirits, welcomed us all into the hospital ward and, set about recalling old times with

humor and laughter. Indeed, a most wonderful and charming lady. I will cherish her

memory that will remain with me forever.

- Father Regisford, Rector of St. Paul's, Calliaqua, and Archdeacon of St. Vincent and

the Grenadines, and the entire Congregation send condolences to the Phills family.

Eloise's passing will be announced in Church and prayers offered for her departed

soul. Her generosity to the Church over the years is very much appreciated. May

she rest in peace.

- I want you to know how saddened Paula and I are to learn of Aunt Elo's passing.

We all share with you in your loss. Please find comfort in the knowledge that her

sufferings on earth are no more, and that she is at rest in our savior's arms. Her faith,

strength, and Christian beliefs are an inspiration to the family, and to those of us who

were fortunate enough and privileged to know her. Although neither of us can make it

up to her grand farewell, know that we will keep the entire and extended Phills family

in our prayers and thoughts during this trying period.

· - Marilyn & I send you sincere & prayerful condolences on the passing of your beloved

& adorable Mom, "Aunt Elo." Hers was a most beautiful life lived in the fear of God

with affection and love to all, and in particular to you, her family. I am grateful to God

that I was able to spend sometime with you & the rest of the family on Thursday,

March 10th, at the Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ. where she was. I am also

grateful for the privilege for ministering to Aunt Elo. in her final hours of her mortal life

here on earth. We saw her there in her weakness and prayed to God for her. Please

know that we are all in this together and we join in mourning her loss and at the same

time rejoicing that her life was a beautiful one for which we thank Almighty God. We

are grateful for these many years of genuine friendship that we have shared for our

childhood days. All being well, we hope to be present at both services and to spend

some time with you.

Let us pray: O God of grace and glory, we remember before this day our mother

Eloise. We thank you for giving us to her, her family and friends, to know and to love

as a companion, mother and friend on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless

compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal

life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call,

we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

May Her Soul Rest In Peace. Yours in our Blessed Lord.

- Love to all at this time when we remember aunt Eloise and our hearts are heavy with

her passing. I especially will miss her but I am glad I spoke to her for the last on her

birthday.

- Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mom. She was a great

lady who raised some wonderful children who have all made her very proud and happy.

She is the last of the wonderful mothers of the villagers. She has a wonderful, long and

rewarding life. May she rest in peace.

- My condolences to you and the family. Just remember all the good times, and treasure

them. She had a very good life, and you had the opportunity to enjoy her for a long

time. May she rest in peace.

- We are very sorry that your mother passed to Glory on March 11, 2005. May our Lord

grant you and your family courage at this time of loss; Your church family will be with

you and will continue to remember you in prayer. May your beloved Mother's soul rest

in peace.

- Let us focus on the goodness of Aunt Elo's life and transform it into ours, let us learn

from her life the good deeds that she has done for so many. It is not easy, we are going

to miss her, but could you see Her and Emo hand in hand looking down upon us. Keep

the faith God is good.

- It is with sadness that I received the news of Aunt Elo's (as I always lovingly referred to

her) graduation to glory. I know she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Hold on to the many

happy memories. For me, I can never forget her warm, loving beaming SMILE. May her

soul rest in peace. Condolences to you and the Phills family

- Please accept our DEEPEST SYMPATHY on the passing of your Mom.

No need to say that she was very well known to us. I can remember

with that smile she always wore back home in St. Vincent.

- Ivy and I sympathize with you and your families at the passing of

your dear mother. We are remembering all of you in our prayers and

wish that memories of all of the pleasant moments that you shared with

her may bring solace to your hearts. May she rest in peace.