Ms. Shunta Jeanette Phillips

May 6, 1972 - March 22, 2022

Shunta was born the eldest of four children on May 6, 1972, in Jackson, Mississippi to Linda Jeanette Friday and Freddie Jones. She departed this life far too soon on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Shun confessed Christ as her Lord & Savior at New St. John M.B. Church at an early age, she later united with Powerhouse Church of God in Christ, where she was a faithful member and served wholeheartedly on the Usher Board until her health declined. Shun grew up in the Shady Oak Community and attended schools in the Jackson Public School District: G. N. Smith Elementary, Brinkley Middle School, Jackson Urban League Development Center and graduated from Lanier High School in May 1990. With a sincere love for children, Shun returned to Jackson Public Schools in maintenance for 10 years collectively. She also worked at Jackson State University in maintenance care. She worked many years as a Personal Care assistant and a Certified nursing assistant until her health regressed. Following in her grandmother's footsteps, she was a dedicated poll manager, poll worker and voter registration activist for the Hinds County Circuit court for many years. She was never scared of hard work and never allowed anything to prevent her from doing what she felt led to do. Whatever she set her mind to do, she did it. She continued to ring the bell each year for the Salvation Army despite her illness and her worrisome brother, Isaac, getting mad at her for doing what she loved to do, serve! And her infamous words telling him and anyone else who would ask, "God Got Me!!" Shunta volunteered and worked for many other charitable organizations such as Black Lives Matter, and she even organized her own efforts to feed the homeless in the heart of Jackson. She was a true humanitarian who worked tirelessly to serve the community, such as giving to numerous Christmas toy drives for children, back to school drives to ensure that no child went without school supplies and sponsored and personally catered a picnic at the end of each summer to celebrate children returning to school. She truly loved children, and with the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus right around the corner, she requested that we keep her dream alive by providing Easter baskets for her children. Her love for mankind has truly left an impact for so many that will last a lifetime. Even though she did not birth biological children, she brought forth unconditional love and concern for so many children; and they loved her dearly in return. She was the glue to her family and friends. She brought everyone together with her infamous cooking. She will be terribly missed for the joy she brought to others through her kindness, her giving, and her cooking, but most of all her beautiful smile! She was proceeded in death by her maternal grandmother, Ms. Winnie Bell Washington; father, Freddie Jones; great aunt, Addie Mae Bradley; great uncle, Sam Smith; aunt, Dorothy Washington-Quadri; uncles, Samuel "SWOLE" Phillips and Wallace Johnson; cousin, Michael Washington; Godmother, Mrs. Juanita Thomas-Kildare and a special friend, Ervin Travis. Shun is survived by her mother, Linda J. Friday; bonus father, Pastor George W. Friday; aunts, Mattie "Lorraine" Washington and Sandra K. Washington of Jourdanton, TX; siblings, Isaac Friday, Wendy (Marcus) Keller, David "Sheep" (Antrice) Friday, Felicia Friday and Allan "I-Ron" (Shavoka) Washington; nephew, Trevon Friday; nieces: Keundra T. Friday, Keosha T. Friday, Se'Lah Norwood, and D'Lalah Friday; cousins, Kenya Washington, Lanobuyuki "Nobia" Washington, Conesha (John) Washington-Barron, Cortez Washington, Carlos (Tasha) Friday, Sophia Washington, and Daniel "Boo" (DeAundria) Washington and a host of other aunts, un cles, cousins, godchildren, and friends. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." ~ 2 Timothy 4:7-8