Reverend Phillip B. DeShay

Reverend Phillip Beverly DeShay, Sr. was born in Cedar Creek, TX, on November 18, 1938, and entered Eternal rest on February 17, 2023. He was the son of the late Warren William DeShay and Beulah Vycille McKnight. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior early and was baptized at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, Cedar Creek, TX. Phillip attended school in the Bastrop area. In 1956, Phillip married Lurena Foster and relocated to Houston, TX. To this union, two children were born, Lisa and Phillip, Jr. He later joined the United States Army, where he served from August 1961 until August 1963.
In 1965, he became an ordained deacon under the leadership of Rev. O.L. Hughes at Riverbrook Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, TX. Phillip returned to Bastrop in 1985, he married Retha Nell Slaughter, and one child was born into this union. He was employed by Seton Medical Center and later by St. David's North Austin Medical Center, where he retired after many years of service.
After years of doing the Lord's work, he answered his calling to Minster under the leadership of Rev. L.L. Carter of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Cedar Creek, TX. On March 14, 1999, he was elected as Pastor of the Mt. Woodrow Missionary Baptist Church of Cedar Creek, TX. While at Mt. Woodrow, he envisioned starting a group of local singers and helped organize a community choir called The New Beginners Community Choir in the Bastrop area. After 20 years of faithful service, he retired from Mt. Woodrow Baptist church on March 10, 2019.
Phillip served as interim Reverend for the New Union Baptist Church in Flatonia, TX, until his health failed. He was also involved with The La Grange Western Landmark Association and served this district for over 15 years. He served as the Assistant Moderator and later as the Association's Moderator. In May 2021, Phillip was elected Reverend of The Ambassadors for Christ Fellowship Church in Waelder, TX, and served until July 2022.
His parents, two brothers, and one sister preceded him in death.
Phillip leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife for 38 years, Retha Nell DeShay, and his children, Lisa Pipkins, Phillip DeShay Jr., Jacob (Tamika) DeShay, and Rachel DeShay. One stepdaughter Erica Slaughter, 11 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren. His three sisters: Ruth (CL) Jones, Doris Sampson, and Marilyn (Marvin) Haywood. Also, his Uncle Clay Stephenson, Aunt Roxie Satterwhite, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends
Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Providence District Association Tabernacle of Cedar, under the Auspices of Mount Woodrow Missionary Baptist Church of Cedar Creek, Friday, February 24th from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, with a Home Going Celebration following at 12:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery in Killeen on Tuesday, February 28th at 11:00 AM with Military Honors.