BIOGRAPHY

Phillips was born as Gladys M. Cassell on 14 November 1912 in Erie, Pensylvania to Lawrence and Julia Cassell. She attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a sorority for African-American women.

Phillips worked as a teacher in Cleveland, Ohio, and was an avid churchgoer known for being active in her community. In August 1952, aged 39, she married Alvin Phillips; their marriage lasted 50 years before Alvin’s death in 2002. The couple had no children, but they had many nieces and nephews.

Phillips died on 5 February 2023 in Richmond Heights, Ohio at the age of 110 years, 83 days. Her funeral was held five days later. She was survived by her brother-in-law Dr. James L. Phillips and his wife Barbara, as well as their descendants.

RECOGNITION

Phillips was not known to researchers until after her death, when several obituaries were published.

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY