ORLINDA TAYLOR

On October 2nd, 2023, at 11:04, Orlinda took her last breath when the trumpet sounded for her to join her Lord and Saviour. Orlinda Phillips was born on July 29th, 1947, to her parents, Joe Cosby Phillips and Minnie Lee Hunter Phillips in Merigold, Mississippi.

Due to the premature death of her mother, she, and her sister (Lee) were raised by their grandparents Isaiah and Mattie Hunter who were both born in 1888 and lived in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. She was raised in a Christian family who gave her a lot of love. Orlinda professed her belief in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Beautiful Star Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Joyner pastor. As a young child she enjoyed singing in the church. She had a dynamic voice.

Orlinda’s first job was a natural resource extractor (hoeing and picking cotton).  She enjoyed canning, slopping the hogs, and feeding the chickens and choosing the one for Sunday dinner. She said that she did not mind hoeing, but picking cotton was not her thing. She said that one day she would leave Mound Bayou never to return to do this type of labor again.

 Orlinda always expressed an interest in being a model. In 1960 she left Mound Bayou and the country life and moved to Detroit, Michigan and lived with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Net whom she loved and adored. She integrated quickly into a family of 12.  The rule of the house was: eat when it is done or you could eat the crumbs. Here Orlinda and 4 others started a singing group. Their theme song was “Mandly Mom Bombo”. No records were recorded.

As a young lady she began her family and pursued training and skills for life. She attended modeling school and was actively involved in Modeling, Dancing, Fashion Designing, Singing and Acting in Detroit, Michigan, Hollywood, California, and Anchorage Alaska.

Orlinda was a very prolific, flashy, and flamboyant dresser and was appropriately dressed for all occasions from head to toe. All those who met her, remember her for her dressing and charismatic smile. She had a kind word for everyone and displayed independence and confidence. Her sense of humor was unforgettable. She was smart and witty. When it snowed in Chicago, Orlinda would call relatives there and offer them heat from Texas.

In addition to modeling, she attended and excelled in medical assistant training. 

She enjoyed working in nursing homes. Her patients loved her because of her radiant smile and ability to care for them. Her grandmother had been a missionary in life and Orlinda loved taking care of her grandparents since they were elderly when she was born. She lived her life to the fullest, good, bad, and ugly always coming through smiling.

Orlinda was a loving and kind mother, wife, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and cousin. She was very resourceful, she was not a carpenter but she, her son Adolph and husband John built a house that has withstood the test of time and remains standing to this day. She was married to Richard Hill and John Taylor (both preceded her in death). She had 4 children, three boys and one daughter (Arlinda who preceded her in death) who loved her dearly. Orlinda moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1983. She became a member of Believers Christian Center, Reverend Adams, Pastor. When she could not attend church in person she used other media, phone and television and the Bible to continue her faith.

Orlinda leaves to celebrate her life. Sister Lee Perry (Alonzo Perry Jr) of Converse, Texas; 1 brother Richard Henry and 3 sisters Barbara Jo; Rommel and Deborah; all of Dallas, Texas. 3 sons Angelo Phillips, and Rick Sean Hill of San Antonio, Texas; Adolph Phillips of Natalia, Texas; 1 nephew Preston Izaak Perry of San Antonio, Texas; 1 granddaughter Charity Hill and 1 great niece Jasmyne Simone Perry and 1 great nephew Stefan Xavier Perry, many cousins, and friends. We will remember Orlinda and celebrate her life forever.

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