Mildred Phillips was born in Tillery, North Carolina, to Haywood Phillips and Louise Phillips. She was the second of eight children. She is survived by her son, Randolph Thomas, daughter-in-law, Alisha Barton, and two grandchildren, Myleigh Thomas and Taylor Thomas. She also leaves behind her siblings: Lula Mae Phillips, Haywood Phillips Jr., Chester Phillips, Glenda Hickman, Cynthia Thomas, Veronica McDuffie, and Nikki Phillips-Bryson. Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-laws Maureen Phillips and Denise Phillips, brother-in-laws Angelo Hickman, Jeffrey McDuffie, and Omar Bryson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

A Life of Resilience & Determination

As a young girl, Mildred moved to New York, where she attended elementary school. She quickly made friends but also found herself in fights. One day, her sister discovered a crowd gathered around a fight, only to realize it was Mildred facing off against a boy bigger than her. When her sister jumped in to help, she found that Mildred had already jumped up and run home. Afterward, her sister told her, "You're on your own." From that moment on, Mildred learned to stand her ground, fighting every battle with resilience and fairness.

Mildred graduated from Halsey Junior High School and later from Clara Barton Vocational High School, where she received the Honor Society Award along with honors in nutrition, economics, physical anatomy, and nursing. She earned her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Manhattan Community College and later obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from City College of New York.

The Accidental Activist & Midnight Rider

During the turbulent 1960s Civil Rights Era, Mildred and her sister unknowingly made history. While visiting the Idle Hour Restaurant in North Carolina, they sat down to eat, unaware that it was a segregated establishment. As a nervous white crowd looked on, a group of Black onlookers gathered outside. The restaurant owners graciously welcomed them, and Mildred, noticing her cousins outside, beckoned them in. Only later did she realize that she and her sister had integrated the restaurant.

Her activism didn’t stop there. In the 1990s, she felt God calling her to feed the homeless. What began with dumpster diving for food soon turned into a full-fledged mission. Brooklyn’s Terminal Market vendors started donating fresh produce, and Mildred convinced her sister to help cook. They distributed homemade soups, sweet potato pies, banana bread, and other meals to those in need—whether at Grand Central Station, the Port Authority, East New York, or Bushwick. This commitment to service earned her and her sister the name Midnight Riders. But for Mildred, it was never just about feeding people—it was about introducing them to the Lord and demonstrating God’s kindness through action.

A Woman of Action & Faith

Mildred was a "doer" in every sense. She dreamed of buying her mother a house—and she did it. She believed in exposing children to new adventures—and she made it happen. She traveled across the United States and even visited Ireland, where she was the first brown-skinned person many locals had ever seen. Though she loved their kindness and hospitality, her heart was always with her family, and she returned home.

One of her proudest accomplishments was restoring a dilapidated building in Bushwick, transforming it into a home, a safe haven for children, and a church. Another was serving as a foster parent to over 16 children. She firmly believed that anyone, regardless of background, could succeed with hard work, resilience, and prayer.

A Lifelong Caregiver & Advocate

Mildred’s compassionate nature extended to her career in nursing. She began as an LPN in the delivery room at Unity Hospital but was deeply affected by caring for sick newborns. Determined to make a greater impact, she returned to school to become a registered nurse specializing in Intensive Care. She later worked for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, caring for patients in Brooklyn and Queens for over 20 years. Her meticulous care left a lasting impact—so much so that she couldn’t walk down the street without someone stopping her to say, “Millie, do you need anything?”

Beyond her patients, she advocated for her colleagues, serving as a proactive leader and shop steward in every job she held. She was a fierce protector—of her family, her patients, and anyone in need.

A Lasting Legacy & Community Recognition

Mildred’s lifelong dedication to service did not go unnoticed. In honor of her unwavering commitment to the community, the Brooklyn Community Board approved the naming of a street after her. This recognition serves as a lasting tribute to the impact she had on countless lives through her activism, caregiving, and ministry.

A Legacy of Love & Faith

Mildred was passionate about guiding young people toward Christ. She urged them to pursue education, seek their higher calling, and live with honesty and faith. She was known for her humor, her generosity, and her ability to turn even the simplest conversation into a moment of joy. While she was kind-hearted, she also had no problem putting someone in their place—always with a lesson to be learned.

Her life’s journey took her from fighting on playgrounds to fighting for justice, equality in healthcare, and, most importantly, the souls of those she encountered. She was a fearless, loving, humorous, and faith-driven warrior.

God made a remarkable woman when He made Mildred Phillips.