Celebratory Services for Gloria Reese Philpot, Friday, January, 30, 2004, 11:00 A.M., Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 1500 Norman Drive, College Park, Georgia 30349, The Reverend Dr. Emmanuel McCall, Sr., Pastor, Officiating

Cefebratory Services for
(j{oria Reese Plii(pot
Friday, January 30, 2004 - 11:00 A.M.-
Christian :fe{{owsliiy 13aytist Cliurcli
1500,Norman Drive College Park, Georgia 30349
The Reverend Dr. Emmanuel McCall, Sr., Pastor Officiating

'Rej[ections

Wind blowing, a ray of sunshine, a drop of dew, and another flower pushes its way to the surface of God's green earth. Hesitating as if it contemplates the genesis of a new life. Then, vestiges to leaves, thorns to protect, and petals blossom. It grows from a spindly creature to a clustered shrub.Offering its visual and aromatic substance of this life. Wanting in return only a patch of soil, sunlight and moisture. Beset by the elements and tribulations that any creature must endure, it struggles and becomes a perfect rose.

Those who knew and shared her existence can visualize her likeness to this particular flower. Beautiful to the eye, yet unpretentious; delicate to behold, but possessing endless reservoir of strength and resilience.

The flower is born ... Gioria Grant Reese Philpot was born July 5, 1931 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Gussie Grant in Snowdown, Alabama. She was the youngest of all the children. All siblings, preceded her in death. In the peacefulness and tranquility of Montgomery County, she received her formal education and confessed Christ at an early age.

The flower blossoms ... She was joined in holy matrimony to James Reese , Sr. and to this union, four children were born. She later was joined in holy matrimony to Willie R. Philpot of Atlanta, Georgia.

Early in her life, her spiritual roots were grounded in the Lilly Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama in 1941, where she praised God as a member of the James E. Noble Choir. With this, one of her favorite scriptures- "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4: 13) -was fulfilled.

For fourteen years , she served as an educator in the Montgomery County, Alabama Public School System . She continued her professional tenure in the Clayton County Public School System in Georgia as a Media Specialist until her retirement in 1998.

The flower withers .. ."For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even , so them also which sleep in Jesus will He bring with Him" -I Thessalonians 4:14. She embarked upon God 's final journey on Saturday, January 24, 2004 after a short illness at Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta , Georgia .

The petals' lives which she touched and leaves cherished memories include her husband, Willie R. Philpot; sons, James Reese , Jr. and Tyrone Reese; daughters Sandra Reese Jolla and Brenda Reese Jones; two daughters- in-law, Betty Walters Reese and Shelia Edwards Reese; one son in-law, Reverend Michael A. Jolla of Coppell, Texas; precious grand petals, Celeste, Jamie, Jada and Rabbiyah Reese; Reynaldo, Shana and Brittney Reese; Reginald, Bridgette and Darius Jones; Brasha and Brianna Jolla; seven great-grand petals; one stepdaughter, Brigette Philpot of Hartford, Connecticut; nine sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by one grand petal, Demond Reese.

Her life was a floral wreath of accomplishments, trials and new experiences. God

has seen fit to take her from the garden of life, as we know it. Her survivors willingly

acknowledge that she now graces a far more beautiful garden than here on earth.

Our Rose ... "Mutt Dear"

-The Family

Order ofService
Prelude ....................................................... Sister Emma McCall, Organist Processional ....................................................................... Funeral Cortege
Valdictory Viewing .................................................................. Final Glimpse
Selection .................................................................. "The Lord is My Life" Scripture:
The Old Testament ................................. The Reverend Grady Bridges The New Testament .............. ............... The Reverend Henry Thurston
Prayer ......................................................... The Reverend Ezekiel Pettway Pastor, Maggie Street Baptist Church
Selection #594 ........................................... "When We All Get To Heaven" Resolutions:
Mayor's Office, Montgomery, Alabama Lilly Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama Forrest Park High School, Atlanta, Georgia St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Greenville, Texas
Selection #281 ............................................................. "Because He Lives"
Tributes: As a Church Member, Brother Charles Lewis As a Friend, Brother Larry Younginer As a Grandmother, Dr. Celeste Reese As a Christian Worker, The Reverend Eugene McClinton
Special Acknowledgement ...................................... James Reese, Jr., Son Organ Brevities .................................................. Reflections (Read Silently)
Solo ............................................................................ "He Looked Beyond" Sister Antoinette Gaines, Gary, Indiana
Eulogy .............................................. The Reverend Dr. Emmanuel McCall ''We Have This Hope"
Recessional .........................................................................."I'll Fly Away" Sister Gloria Jackson, Montgomery, Alabama
Postlude
Interment
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 2275 Simpson Road, Northwest
Atlanta, Georgia

Clierisliecf Moments
An affectionate wife, adorable mother, praying grandmother, outstanding educator, devoted friend, "MuttDear" will be dearly missed.

Cfierisfiec[ Moments

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me And I'm not there to see If the sun should rise and Find your eyes
All filled with tears for me I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
The way you did today. While thinking ofthe many things,
We didn't get to say. As much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me, too. But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand That an angel came by And called my name , And took me by my hand. And when I thought ofworldly things That I might miss come tomorrow, I thought ofyou, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me From His golden throne. So when tomorrow starts without Me, Don't think we're far apart, For every time you think ofme I'm right there, in your heart.

Pa{{6earers

Eddie Clark

L.M. Smith

James Hightower

Johnny Thompson

Rufus Jordan

Larry Younginer

James Price

J-fonorary Pa{{6earers

Dr. Reynaldo Reese James Reese, Ill Reginald Jones, Jr.

Darius Jones Kamani Schott Tyrone Byrd

:J{ower 13earers
Fellowship Baptist Church Ushers Cherished Friends

J-fonorary :J{ower 13earers

Dr. Celeste Reese

Brittney Reese Byrd

Dr. Jada Reese

Bridgette Jones

Dr. Valarie Reese

Rabbiyah Reese

Shana Reese Schott

Brianna Jolla

Brasha Jolla

Clierislied:friendS

Ruby Clark

Hattie Tennison

Doreatha Jordan

Sarah Thompson

Jean Price

Vivian Younginer

Georgia Smith

Angie Williams

Leola Sherrod

5\cknow fedgement
The family is most grateful to each of you for the many acts of kindness shown during the homegoing of our loved one. May God continue to richly bless you.

5t Yirtuous Woman
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart ofher husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth. her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid ofthe snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herselfcoverings oftapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law ofkindness. She looketh well to the ways ofher household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:10-31
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