Donnie Jean Phillips was born on June 23, 1940, to Adam and Gladys Robinson. She accepted Christ at an early age and remained faithful throughout her life.
Donnie attended school in Waco, Texas, where she met and married Johnny Jackson. They later moved from Hereford to San Antonio, Texas. After becoming a widow, Donnie moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she built a life centered on faith and family.
Donnie worked at John Peter Smith Hospital for more than 20 years, where she dedicated herself to caring for others. She later married the love of her life, U.L. Phillips.
Donnie was a faithful member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. D. Evans until his passing. In the early 2000s, she joined her church family at New Mount Carmel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. R.A. Toliver. She loved her Sunday School class and faithfully attended church every Sunday until her illness no longer allowed her to attend. Even then, she would often say, "I want to go to church."
She also enjoyed attending the Golden Angels meetings every Thursday for lunch and bible study. Donnie loved shopping with her daughters and spending Sundays visiting with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed watching westerns, playing bingo, and listening to music on her boombox. Every Easter, she looked forward to wearing her favorite hat and suit to have lunch at the Fort Worth Club in downtown Fort Worth with Tonya, Marc, and Adam, where the ladies always admired her beautiful hats.
Donnie was preceded in death by her first husband, Johnny Jackson; her second husband, U.L. Phillips; her daughter, Leona Jackson Hicks; her brother, Adam Robinson II; and her sisters, Shirley Brady and Beverly Robinson.
She leaves to cherish her memory her nine living children: Sherrie, Louella, Johnny (LaRhonda), Joyce, Tommy (Karen), Ginger (Darren), Ronnie (Penny), Lewis, and Tonya (Marc); 19 grandchildren; more than 30 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Melvin Charles, Lawrence (Connie), Gloria (Larry), Sylvia (John), Debra and Eddie;Wayne, her sister-in-law, Betty; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and her church family.
