Mother Castella Phillips was born December 24, 1924 in Okalona, Miss. to Ed Ewing, Sr. and Thulia (Williams) Ewing. She was the third oldest of seven children. Both parents, her husband Percy Phillips Jr., her son Percy Phillips III and two brothers, Reuben and Deacon Ed Ewing Jr., all preceded her in death.
She completed the highest level of education through Okalona school system.
Mother Phillips moved to St. Louis in her early twenties. She found employment at White Line Laundry and later at Excelsior Laundry.
While working at Excelsior Laundry, she met Percy Phillips Jr. , with whom she was blessed to come together with in holy matrimony on April 11, 1952, and Mother Chaddie Donaldson (of Little Bethel C.O.G.I.C.), who introduced her to sanctification and receiving The Holy Ghost. Mother Phillips became a member of Little Bethel under the leadership of Pastor Walter Donaldson
Her husband was later called to the ministry. He went on to become the founder and pastor of Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C., making Castella the First Lady. She supported her husband in various ministries – prisons, the workhouse, city jails and parole boards – and many functions at the church.
On Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2009, Mother received the ultimate dimension of God’s blessing – her heavenly reception.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children Dorothy, Bobby, Diane (Jesse Jr.), Stephanie (Antonio) and Yolanda “The Baby Girl!”; her sisters Lula Mae and Lilly Bell; her brothers Joe (Jean), Leslie (Dolores); sisters-in-law Mother Ida Ewing and Catherine Ewing; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews and Antwon, Dwight, Angie, Paulette and the entire Holy Temple Church Family.