Concepcion Phillips

The angels of the Lord lifted the soul of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Concepcion Garcia Betancourt Phillips, to her final resting place in Heaven on Sunday, 23 October 2022.

Concepcion, or “Connie” as she was lovingly known by all who knew her, was born on 07 December 1939 to her parents Isidro Garcia and Maria Concepcion Gonzalez in Bogota, Colombia. Beginning at birth, she was a strong, faith-filled woman who persevered and overcame all the challenges she faced including losing her mother early in life and raised by nuns in an orphanage. As a young woman, she immigrated to the United States and married her husband and father of her four children, Carlos Manuel Betancourt.

She brought into this life her children, Jose, Rosa, Amparito and Johnny, all born in New York City, New York. Following the untimely and unexpected death of Carlos in 1975, where she found herself a young widow with four children, Connie again placed her trust in the Lord and embraced the challenges and financial adversities of raising four children by herself. With her unhesitant faith and trust in Our Father, she boldly packed up her children and set out to begin a new life in the State of Florida, fulfilling the dreams of her late husband, Carlos. It was in Florida that her family flourished and blossomed, ultimately producing children who are now professionals and loving parents, aunts and uncles. It was also in Florida where she could be found frolicking with her children in the beautiful waters of the Rainbow River, performing her daily water exercises much to the chagrin of her children. And it was in Florida where Connie met and married her late husband, William Harvey Phillips who brought additional joy to her life for many years.

Connie unconditionally and unselfishly loved her children and supported them throughout her life through the many highs and difficulties of their own lives. Additionally, she made it her mission to help all her family, including her nieces and nephews, both who resided in her birth country of Colombia, as well as those whom she had helped immigrate to the United States. These included the sons and daughters of her late sister, Blanca Garcia de Munoz: Pedro, Maria, Mariela, Judith (late), Vicente, Blanca and Christina, all who are successful professionals, and wonderful human beings.

Connie was also passionate about her Catholic faith and her love for Our Father as well as all of God’s children. She always made it a point to reach out and offer her assistance to others. Originally a member of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Church in Jamaica, New York where her children attended Catholic school, she then became a loyal parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon, Florida.

Finally, she loved attending mass and hearing the beautiful homilies of Father Fabio A. Alvarez Posada, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church located in Cleveland, Georgia. Connie was constantly praying the rosary, offering her prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, her Protector and Guide in life.

The Lord blessed Connie with 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom loved their Abuela and Bisabuela dearly. It is through the lives of her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren that her loving spirit, her kindness and strength will continue to live and flourish throughout their lives.

To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement. Connie was unselfish to a fault, often neglecting the needs of herself for the needs and well-being of her family and those whose lives she touched. She is survived by her sons (and daughters in law) Jose (Mary), Johnny (Jeanette), and daughters (and son in law) Rosa and Amparito (Robert). She is also survived by her Grandchildren (and their spouses): Carlos (Chelsea), Mateo (Ashley), Philip (Amanda), John, Mariela, Therese, Amelia, Caroline, Johnny, Samuel, Gabriella and Maximus. Finally, she is survived by her Great Grandchildren: Amelia, Theodore, Thomas and Margaret.

A funeral mass and internment will be held at 9:00 a.m. (EST) on Friday, 04 November 2022 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Cleveland, Georgia (https://www.stpaulcleveland.com/).

Connie wished to be remembered as a loving mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and a Friend to all. Her spirit will be felt forever in the lives of those who were blessed to have known her. May she rest in peace in the loving arms of Our Father in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 1243 Hulsey Road Cleveland, GA 30528