Derek Paul Phillips

The gentle winds of new life blew on May 11, 1975 at 11:52pm in New Orleans, LA. The lives of Barron Phillips and Yolanda Phillips were enriched with the joy of a precious baby boy they named Derek Paul Phillips. He attended elementary and high school in Orleans Parish. Following in the footsteps of his uncle Joseph Johnson ESQ, Derek attended St Augustine High School graduating in 1993. At St. Aug, he was a member of the Marching 100 and football team. After his high school graduation, Derek attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where he was also a member of the football team. At an early age, Derek was christened at St Paul AME Church where he was a member of the Sunbeam Choir. He later joined the Steward Board, and occasionally, Derek would be selected to give the Sunday morning message. Derek moved to Birmingham, AL where he joined St John AME under the pastorialship of Bobbie Cox. He recommitted his life to Christ and was baptized August 15, 2007. Derek was an employee of Home Depot, Cingular Wireless and security at Club Platinum. In 2009, Derek later moved to Arlington, TX to join his mother and sister. He was an employee of Lowe’s for several years. Upon receiving his CDL, Derek became a truck driver and worked at Werner Trucking. There he received his 1st opportunity to see the world while driving cross country. Later, Derek began working at Rich Trucking and then to UPS. Derek also was a security guard at Brickhouse Lounge and Zuri Lounge in Arlington, TX. He later returned to Brickhouse Lounge in Desoto where his life was tragically taken. Derek grew up with the name Heavy D which was given to him by his friends in his New Orleans neighborhood, but he left this earth known to many in Dallas as the Gentle Giant. Derek showed love to everybody he met. He always supported everybody in every way possible. Despite Derek standing 6’9 inches tall, Derek was well loved and respected by many. Because of his protective, caring nature, Derek was the unofficial bodyguard for many people. Derek was the protector of his sister and her kids--always acting as though he was Javone’s 2nd daddy lol. It is an honor to share Derek with others who deeply loved him like he was their own blood. As a result of his hard work, determination, and valor, Derek has been inducted as a honorary Mason at Live Stone Lodge #152 in Grand Prairie, TX. He leaves to cherish his sister Javone Phillips, niece Ariel Esteen, and nephew Carey Esteen AKA his kids, his godparents Lucille Miller and Lester Jackson, God sister Tamika Jackson, God brother Lester Jackson, Jr., Aunt Doreen Miller, big Cousins Lynell Daggs and Toni Marie along with a host of other relatives and friends. Derek is preceded in death by his parents, Yolanda Phillips and Barron Phillips; grandparents, Elenora Bazley Arthur (Willie Arthur), Joseph Johnson (Alice Johnson), Thomas Phillips and Hazel Brown; Great grandparents Clarence and Alice Bazley; Great Aunt Annie Gaines; Uncles Joseph Johnson, ESQ and Samuel Dove; Aunt Rose Dove Batiste and Great Uncle Anthony Bazley and a few additional aunts and uncles. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Service at Abundant Life Tabernacle, 1701 Franklin Ave. on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Interment: Providence Memorial Park Cemetery, 8200 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences for the family. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125.

Derek Paul Phillips

August 19, 2022