Donald Walter Phillips was born in Winston-Salem to Walter P.L. Phillips and Ethel Phillips on July 3, 1945. He was the second eldest of three children. His Dad, P. L. made certain that his boys learned to work.

Although Donald enjoyed playing basketball and hanging out with his friends, as a young boy, he often went to help his dad mow yards for people. Later he had a paper route. He was a product of the public schools in Winston-Salem. While in high school, Donald took masonry classes and his uncle Clarkey (Bay) Long hired him as a brick layer to help in the construction of houses in Washington, D.C. He said that allowed him to be a witness to the historical March on Washington in 1963. Donald said he would never forget that experience, being in a crowd of over 250,000.  He then graduated from Atkins High School in 1963.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1967. While in the navy, Donald served as one of only two Black servicemen on his ship.  His final duty station was at the U.S. Naval Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While in the Navy, he received a National Defense Service Medal.

Upon returning to Winston-Salem, Donald got a job at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Factory and later started school at Winston-Salem State University majoring in Political Science. While there he met Flora Riddick and they were married in 1970.  In this marriage of 51 years, they had a daughter named Donyell Lakishka Phillips. He graduated from Winston Salem State University in 1972. After graduation, he continued working at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company until he retired.

Donald was a life-long member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While he worked for his entire life, holding two jobs for several years, Donald believed in the power of education and encouraged his children, grandchildren, and anyone he met to pursue it whenever possible. Above all, he loved life and lived it to its fullest.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  a brother, Barber Phillips; aunts Rosa Lee Holloman, Mary Lou Hairston, Lucy Shepherd, Uncle Clarkey Long, and grandmother Sarah Long.

Mr. Philips departed this life Sunday November 28, 2021 at the Citadel.

He is survived by his wife, Flora Phillips; son, Donald Timothy Phillips; daughter, Donyell Roseboro (Bratis); grand-children, Dominique Phillips, Monique Phillips, Ciera Roseboro, and Maya Roseboro; sister, Jeanne Phillips; nephew Khamal Patterson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held 12:00 noon Saturday, December 4, 2021  at Shiloh Baptist Church located at 916 East 12 ^th Street Winston, Salem, North Carolina 27101. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park located at 3771 Yadkinville, Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106

The family will receive friends  on Saturday, December 4 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon at Shiloh Baptist Church located at 916 East 12 ^th Street Winston, Salem, North Carolina 27101.

His remains may be viewed Friday December 3, 2021 from 12pm-6pm at Hooper Funeral Home.