Deacon Phillip Cowles Parker

Deacon Phillip Cowles Parker was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. He fought a long, hard battle, and in the end, God called His child home to peace after preparing a special place for him. Phillip was born on January 26, 1960, to the late Ernest P. Cowles Sr. and Mable Orene Taylor Cowles. He was adopted by the late Rev. Isaac L. and Catherine W. Parker.

Phillip was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Zion Baptist Church in Lightfoot, Virginia. Later in life, he joined Zion Branch Baptist Church in Saluda, Virginia, where he was ordained as a deacon in 2010 and served in that office faithfully until his health failed.

Phillip married the love of his life, the former Sheron Denise Berkley, on April 17, 1989.

Phillip enjoyed watching and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Knicks, and the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He also enjoyed detailing cars and watching wrestling.  His greatest past-time was spending time with his family, whom he loved dearly.  He was a loving, gentle, and kind-hearted.  He will truly be missed by all who knew him. 

Phillip was preceded in death by his daughter, Toni Callis; sisters, Bertha Jones, Gloria Tillery, Alice Frazier, and Sandra Jimmison; and brothers, Caron Cowles and Ernest P. Cowles Jr. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife, Sheron Denise Berkley Parker; daughters, Jeanette Callis (Kim), Tania Callis, and Zakia Berkley (Justin Quinn); son, Phillip Osbourne (Tony Faison); two grandchildren, Brianna Mercer and Toni Callis; one great-grand daughter,Sa’malia Callis; one sister, Jacquelin Jones; two brothers, Ronnie Cowles, and Jay Parker; brothers-in-law, David Berkley (Patricia), James Berkley, Dale Berkley (Juanita), Clarence Berkley, Lawrence Robertson (Selisa); sister-in-law, Kathy Givens; dedicated nephews, Alexander Frazier, Jr., Quontea Robinson, Derrick Lee, Calvin Redcross, Ronald Lee Cowles, Anthony Whitby, David Cowles, Sherrod Jimmison, Eric Jimmison, and Dominique Ruttley; dedicated nieces, Pamela Miller, Jeanette Meekins, Latia Robertson, Destiny Robinson, Laguanna Redcross, Chant’el Moore, Masiyah Faulkner, Harmony Robertson, and A’Sheanna Frazier; aunt, Mildred Taylor; children Phillip raised as his own, Lyric Robertson, Delisha Berkley Moore, Ashley Jones, Mason Brown, Montaze Robertson, Latrea Robertson, Lashawn Robertson, and the late Latrell Robertson; godchildren, Malik Grandel and Malijah Grandel; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Bethel Restoration Center. Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park.  Dea. Parker may be viewed on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the church.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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