Virgie Lee (Newton) Phillips

Virgie Lee (Newton) Phillips, 78, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on February 22, 1944, the daughter of Annie Mae Newton and Joseph J. Newton.

Virgie or as most know her “mama” was a natural born nurturer. She ran a daycare for many many years and loved many children like they were her own. She had a way about her that made you feel the love when you were in her presence. Mama was a true matriarch. She commanded respect from many.

Virgie was preceded in death by her husband James Don Phillips, daughter Donna Marie Phillips, grandson Tywan Ramos, sister Sandra Smith, sister Linda Streeter, brother J.W. Streeter, and sister, the legendary Blues singer known as Big Time Sarah, the first to introduce Blues to India.

Virgie leaves her children Shirley Payton and husband Wilford Payton, Patricia Jackson, James Phillips Jr., Debbie Jackson, Joseph Phillips; her sisters, Sally Bennett of Fitchburg, Annemarie Smith of North Carolina, Joanne Newton Fields of North Carolina, Kimberly Perkins of Marlborough, Tracy Perkins of Leominster, brother Timothy Morrow of Little Rock, Arkansas; her grandchildren Edward Phillips, Torrence Phillips and wife Stephanie Phillips, Jabari Payton and wife Tonia Payton, Gamba Payton, Akin Payton, Dr. Demetrice Phillips and wife Shaunti Phillips, Anthony Phillips, Carl Phillips, Jermaine Phillips and wife Shabana Phillips, Taneisha Malcolm, Stefania Jackson, Bertie Henry Jr.; her great grandchildren, Terell Phillips, Shyann Phillips, Jada Phillips, Jailene Phillips, Kianna Payton, Jayden Payton, Aaliyah Payton, Keshawn Payton, Amare Payton, Amiyah Payton, Syeira Phillips, Dontay Phillips, Sianna Phillips, Donovan Phillips, Deon Phillips, Saminah Phillips, Tyree Phillips, Isaac Phillips, Jared Phillips, Keira Phillips, Lincoln Phillips, Keiana Phillips, Ariella Phillips; and her great great grandchildren, Jovani Henry and Lyon Phillips.