Mr. Vernell Phipps

November 8, 1945 - December 22, 2020

Vernell (Keys) Phipps was born November 8, 1945 in Saginaw, Michigan the son of Robert Phipps and Phebia Christmas Long. He was a resident in New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Natchez High School in Natchez, Mississippi. He was employed at the Saginaw Club and Broussard’s Restaurant and Courtyard. He enjoyed watching TV, dancing and loved to dress fashionably. He loved being with his grandkids and the NFL team, the New Orleans Saints. Vernell enjoyed being a servant to others, he loved everyone and he had a laugh to remember and a smile that would light up the room. Mr. Phipps leaves to cherish his memory, children, Rochelle Davis, Denver, CO, Vernell (Nicole) Phipps, Saginaw, MI, Quanta Faniel, Saginaw, MI, NyAngel O’Neal, Westland, MI and De’Niel Phipps, Cincinnati, OH; step-children, Saturian (Rickie) Witherspoon, Cedar Hill, TX Keith Jones, Saginaw, MI, Njeri Olufunmilayo, Cedar Hill, TX, Alga Jones, Saginaw, MI and Kayette Jones, Cedar Hill, TX; grandchildren, Maya (Chris) Simmons-Lognion, Saginaw, MI, Quinntaria Phipps, Lewisville, TX, Quinnton Phipps, Saginaw, MI, Brianna Fairley, Saginaw, MI, Samuel Sorenson, Dallas, TX, Alizae Harris, Atlanta, GA, Kordell Phipps, Orlando, FL, Katelynn Phipps, Orland, FL, Dominick Phipps, Saginaw, MI, Kobe Phipps, Saginaw, MI, De’Asia Owens, Daniel Phipps and Aaron Phipps all of Cincinnati, OH and Nick (Alexandra) Nelson, Las Vegas, NV; great- grandchildren, Channing Tatum, Saginaw, MI, Jermaih Williams, Lewisville, TX, Eliza Harris, Atlanta, GA and Lauryn Lognion, Saginaw, MI; nephew, Terrance Long; aunt, Mamie Christmas; uncle, Alphonse Christmas; cousins, Mark, Merry and Issac Christmas, Dana Christmas-Coleman and Yolanda Christmas-Holloway; many other relatives and special friends who reside in Natchez, MS, New Orleans, Chicago, IL and Saginaw, MI. Vernell was preceded in death by ; parents, Robert Phipps and Phebia Christmas Long; grandparents, Henry Christmas and Janie Herron; sister, Barbara Long; two brothers, Idelle Long, Jr. and Noland (Diane) Long; Estelle, Joseph and Henry Christmas, Jr., Edna Christmas-Phipps, Clarence Tucker, Alberta Christmas-Mouton, Rose Christmas-Carter, Eugene, Robert, Frank and Tom Christmas, Eloise Christmas-Moconduit, Mamie Christmas-Davis, Alphonse Christmas, Forrestine Christmas-Williams, Ida Christmas-Scineaux and Issac Christmas. Funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607.Pastor Kareem Bowen will officiate. Interment Buena Vista Cemetery, 612 South Airport Rd, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Tuesday, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m.