Graveside Service for Jerry Cleo Phillips and Bonita Faye Bradshaw Phillips

A graveside service to inter the ashes of Jerry Cleo Phillips and Bonita Faye Bradshaw Phillips will be held Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Little Hope Cemetery in the Little Hope community near Winnsboro, Texas. A small reception will follow at Little Hope Baptist Church.

Jerry Cleo Phillips was born March 23, 1945, in San Diego, California, to Vernon Cleo Phillips and Cliffie Estell Jones Phillips. After his father’s discharge from the U.S. Navy, the family returned to Texas, living briefly in Houston before settling in the Little Hope community to be near family. Jerry attended Winnsboro schools, where he played football. His best friend, Jim Bob Weems, introduced him to Jim Bob’s cousin Bonita. Jerry first saw Bonita standing on the front porch with her mother in early 1963; Bonita later said they officially met on the school bus.

Bonita Faye Bradshaw, the only child of Everette Bradshaw and Inez Russom Bradshaw, was born June 22, 1947, in Mineola, Texas. She grew up in Wood County, attending small community elementary schools before junior high and high school in Winnsboro.

Jerry and Bonita were married September 6, 1963, at Little Hope Baptist Church. Later that year, with Bonita’s recently widowed mother Inez, they moved to the Dallas area. Jerry began work as a journeyman lineman with Dallas Power and Light at the age of nineteen. He continued with the company until 1976, then transferred to East Texas as a dragline operator and later pit foreman at Texas Utilities Martin Lake. After 37 years he retired, then worked another 15 years for the Texas Department of Transportation before retiring fully to spend more time with Bonita and family. For many years he also roofed houses on the side so Bonita could remain home to care for her mother and raise their children.

After the birth of their first child in 1964, Bonita worked at Collins Radio in Richardson, Texas, building radios for Bell Helicopters during the Vietnam War. She became a full-time homemaker following the birth of their second child in 1968.

Jerry and Bonita were saved and baptized together in 1972 and served together faithfully in numerous churches for the next 51 years. Jerry was a self-taught Bible scholar, deacon and later an ordained minister. Bonita began playing the piano at age 14 for Little Hope Baptist Church and served for many years as a church pianist. She was also a gifted Bible teacher and ministered in women’s, children’s and youth ministries.

They were the proud parents of Tammie Nell, Jerry Marcus, and Kelly Mechelle, and lovingly provided a home for Bonita’s mother, Inez Bradshaw, until her death in September 1980.

Jerry and Bonita celebrated 59 years of marriage before her death on January 27, 2023. Jerry continued serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Beckville and cherished time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, though he missed Bonita deeply. He passed away peacefully at their home of 48 years in Beckville on April 21, 2026. After nearly sixty years together, they are now reunited in the presence of the Lord. It was their expressed wish that their ashes be interred together at Little Hope Cemetery, where their parents and many dear family members rest.

Jerry and Bonita are survived by their children: Tammie Phillips Herndon and husband Brian of Rockwall, Texas; Jerry Marcus Phillips (late wife Ronna Johnson Phillips) of Gary, Texas; Kelly Mechelle Wallace of Arp, Texas. Grandchildren: Lauren Herndon Sheppard and husband Jon Jr. of Whitehouse, Texas; Amy Herndon Sheppard and husband Matt of Cypress, Texas; Ashley Phillips Bowen and husband Cody; Erin Phillips Cohorst and husband Stacey; Ryan Phillips; Rhett Phillips, all of Gary, Texas; Claire Wallace Ward and husband John of Arlington, Virginia; and Brice Wallace of Arp, Texas; Great-grandchildren: Kenley Alyse, Chloe Alexis, and Graham Kirby Sheppard of Whitehouse, Texas; Madison Kate, Emma Elizabeth, Eleanor Rose, and Henry Matthew Sheppard of Cypress, Texas; Jerry’s sister Cathy Phillips Lawson and husband Ron of Winnsboro, Texas.

They are also survived by their special “son” Chris White and wife Julie of Gary, Texas, and Chris and Julie’s children Lindsey Peeples and Jacob White. 

Lifelong friends Kent and Donna Elliott and their children of Prosper, Texas; Mrs. Bettie Ross of Lake Cherokee, Texas; and their beloved church family at First Baptist Church of Beckville, Texas.

 Memorials may be made to The Gideons International or the Little Hope Cemetery Association of Winnsboro, Texas.