Ammie A. Phifer

Ammie Alberta Phifer was born January 7, 1940, to the late Lonnie and Hattie Mae Pruitt in Mocksville, North Carolina (NC). Overseer Phifer went to school at RA Clement High School. She married Hodge Phifer Sr., on June 7, 1958. From that union seven (7) children were born namely Hodge Mitchell (Poochie), Twins-Joretta (Joe), Jerome, Janora (Nokey), Reggie (Rep), Dewanda (Wonkie), and Melinda (Linka). Overseer Phifer moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1971 with her husband Hodge and all their children. Wherever she went she would take all sick of her children with her. They became known as the Brady Brunch. Overseer Phifer got her roots from singing with her sister, The Pruitt Sisters, who were managed by their dad Poppa Lonnie. Overseer Phifer would travel each year to NC to sing with sisters. Overseer would get on that highway at any time to go to NC to visit for any occasion. Overseer Phifer instilled that same singing spirit into her children and formed the group, The Phifer Family. With her as the Leader, they travelled and sang together for many years. Overseer had a love for quartet singing and the Phifer family sang on many programs. Her favorite and the theme song for the Phifer's was" Don't Let My Running Be In Vain." Her favorite anniversary song was "Children Are you Ready"...a call and response song to each of her children. Overseer Phifer joined St. John Christian Community (CC) Church under the leadership of Pastor Tommie Jenkins Sr. in 1972, until the Lord called her to pastor the Renee Hope Christian Community Church. While at St. John, she sang on the choir, was a youth advisor for the 50 Voice Choir and an Associate Minister. Overseer Phifer started her Pastorship at Renew Hope CC Church. The first service was held on Monument Street fully set up. Renew Hope later moved to Garrett Ave. and the final move was Broadway, beside McDonalds. Overseer Phifer and Renew Hope CC Church served as a faithful member of the United Christian Community Counsel of Maryland & Vicinity of many years. Ministry has always been her God given passion. Singing from her heart, sweating out her curls, marching down the church aisles, and shouting under the anointing was who she was. Overseer was a foster parent for many years. She was a mentor to battered women and single women. Overseer was the owner of the Hope Outreach Ministry where she served the community. Overseer being the entrepreneur she was brought the entire strip mall on North Broadway. It housed the Renew Hope Church, Renew Hope Day Care Laundromat, hair salon, auto mechanic shop and several church ministries. She also owned her own Luggage Repair Company. She was hired by several different airlines including Southwest to repair damaged luggage for their passengers. She also worked with her husband Hodge Phifer in his cleaning business. Overseer installed her son, Pastor Reggie Phifer as her Co-Pastor of Renew Hope They worked closely together until he was called to Pastor his own ministry, Great Faith Christian Community. Out of her ministry, she birthed. several ministers and helped them developed their preaching ministries, namely, Reverend. Michael Allen Pastor /Overseer Joretta Flight, Reverend Barbara Alexander, and Reverend Helen Ross. Ammie leaves to rejoice and celebrate her memories: her loving, Hodge Phifer Jr. three daughters, four daughters, Overseer Joretta Flight, Janora (Larry) Winkler, Dewanda (Levi) Chandler, Melinda Slater; two sons, (who preceded in her death) Hodge Mitchell Phifer and Pastor Reggie Phifer; Bonus daughter and sons., Samartha Phifer, Gleika Lazenbury and Christopher Lazenbury, Reverend Michell Allen; two sisters, LD Imes (NC), Hattie Sue Gray (NC), five sisters who preceded her in death) Evon Lazenbury, Pecolia Gray, Lila Mae Rudsell, Jessie Rankin, and Dezaree Imes; grandchildren, Vonzell Phifer, Larry (Rochelle) Hazzard, Kenneth Flight Jr, Chante Ridgeway, Raymond (Sherry) Ridgeway, Raynard Home, Arnell Phifer, Ryan (Shamira) Ridgeway, Jshawnique Flight, Shayla Phifer, Reggie Phifer Jr. 24 great grandchildren; four Goddaughter, Miriam McCrey, Barbara Babyluv Clark, Apostle Teresa Water-Jones, and Mirinda Moye; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Ammie A. Phifer

January 7, 1940 - April 2, 2024