On November 13, 1928, William Henry Phillips and his wife Viola were blessed with a beautiful baby girl who was their 5th of 15 children. The number 5 in the Bible is significant because his creation, the "man," has five fingers, five senses and five toes. Thus it is the number of God's grace. There are five great mysteries: Father, Son, Spirit, Creation and Redemption. Marcella Corine was her given name and she was full of God's grace. On March 11, 2016, God gave Marcella her wings and she completed her life after a gallant fight with her illness. She was truly a warrior.

Marcella attended grade school in rural Morris and Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She was a fighter, full of passion for life and determination. For those she loved, she would fight to protect them. One of her best friends, now Beatrice Smith, would let Marcella know of anyone who was a threat and Marcella would take care of the problem.

She attended Booker T. Washington High School and was known for being one of the top students in her class. She loved education and promoted it with her children and anyone she cared for in life. After her marriage to her brother Rubin's best friend and co-worker, Willie Eugene Grimes, Sr., she still pursued her education by completing her Masters Degree in Cosmetology at what was formerly known as Troupe Beauty School on Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma after having two children. She and Willie had four more children after she completed that education.

When Marcella became a member of the Peoria and Young Church of Christ of Tulsa in 1964, she sang with the Acapella Chorus traveling throughout the Southwest. She is still remembered for the classes she co-taught with her husband, Willie, of 4th and 5th graders there. Marcella was voted "Mother of the Year" and was actively involved in the church's Prison Ministry and the Women's Bible Study Group. Marcella had a soft spot in her heart for young mothers and encouraged them with their marriages and children. She brought many souls to Christ and was always anxious to refer anyone to the Scripture.

In addition to owning her home beauty salon, she enjoyed sewing, cooking, painting, canning, gardening, and even had time for the PTA. Her husband, Willie, always came home from work to a warm, homemade warm meal and had homemade dessert most days. She was a truly Virtuous Woman.

Marcella was preceded in death by her mother and father; her brothers, Edgar, Asborn, Leroy James and William and her sisters, Bertha Bush, Zenobia Waldon, Wynonia Phillips and Helen Haney. She has two sisters, Mattie Barnett and Esther Jean Asbury as well as her brothers, Ruben, Wilbur (identical twin to deceased William), Benjamin and Lester.

There are many accomplishments for Marcella over her 87 years of living, her marriage of 66 years to Bill, the love of her life, and the one she was most proud of were her six children. Elfredia Marie Gee (Daniel W. Gee, Jr.), Willie Eugene Grimes, Jr. (Marsha Patricia) Doris Gaila Morrison-Netter ( Harry Richard Netter), Donna Renee Sizemore (Norman E. Sizemore), Pamela Rochelle Smith (Quinton Smith, Sr.) and Kevin Darryl Grimes (Geraldine). From the six children she leaves behind several grandchildren. They begin with Melissa Nicole Penney Boston, Henry Edward Penney, IV, Jaquan Walker, Jody Stewart, Daniel W. Gee, III, Jazmin Russell, Willie, III, Justin, Kimberly, Donald Eugene Morrison (Irene), Tiffany Camille Morrison, Marchelle Marie Green(William Green, Jr.), Kenneth Morrison, III, Devon Sizemore, Quinton Smith, Jr., Bianca Smith, Tyler Smith, Kelsi Holland, Sydni Grimes and a host of great grandchildren, Cynchelle Boston, Derek Boston, Jr., Chelsey Miller, Kyndel Grimes, Willie E. Grimes IV, Caleb Morrison, Joseph Morrison, Faith Marie Morrison, Kameron Grimes, William Green, III and Abigail Green. She was also blessed with great-great grandchildren, Anadia Cobb and Faith Cobb.


Viewing will be 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Friday, March 18, 2016 at Moore's Memory Chapel, 1403 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 with Wake following at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at North Peoria Church of Christ, 2217 N. Peoria.


Moore's Memory Chapel
918-583-6148