Phillip DeBerry Sr.
Dec. 19, 1947 – Mar. 28, 2020
Phillip DeBerry, Sr. was born on December 19, 1947 to James and Viola. He lived a vibrant happy life in Richmond, VA where he worked for more than four decades driving a bus for the Greyhound Bus Company. He was also a Greyhound Bus Instructor for new drivers teaching them the rules and the proper handling of the bus. Phillip, Sr. loved his work and all the many people he met along the way. He had a big heart and would always help someone in need. Phillip, Sr. loved his sons, grandchildren and his long-time companion of 45 years with all his heart. There was nothing he would not do for them and there was nothing they would not do for him. He had a sister and a host of long-time friends that he considered family and he enjoyed the many meals and activities they regularly did together.
On Saturday, March 28th, 2020, Phillip DeBerry, Sr. departed this earth going home to Glory to be with our Lord. He leaves behind his loving sons, adoring grandchildren, a devoted companion, a trusted sister, nieces, nephews and many, many friends and co-workers all of whom have heavy hearts and will miss him dearly.
A memorial service may be planned for a later date.
Harold Mitchell to a longtime buddy watching our sons playing high school football together. Rest In Peace you are in a better place. Big Phil
2015 Atlantic City NJ, training to be a Greyhound driver, Mr. Deberry was one of my trainers I leaned so much from him and the other trainers. He will be missed. RIH brother.
Blessed are they that mouth, go they shall be comforted. May the. Lord Jesus keep you all. I worked with DeBerry at GRTC Transit. Company.
Favorite uncle RIP
I met you in September 2017, in Pleasantville NJ, when I was only a student . You were one of the most pleasant person I’ve met during my 2 weeks of training. When I heard about your passing I was confused and in disbelief because I had just saw you when I was in Richmond. I know you are in a better place and spreading your wonderful spirit up there in heaven. Rest in Paradise and God bless you. You will never be forgotten.
Sorry to hear of the unexpected loss of your love one. Please accept my heartfelt condolence. My prayers are with you (his family and friends). I always called him DeBerry. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in hearing of the loss of your family member. I pray that you will find comfort in knowing that he will be greatly missed by many.
I worked with Deberry at. GRTC and Greyhound and he has always been a good friend that will be truly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
To my favorite uncle who kept me out of harm’s way and help make me the man that I have become today. He will always remain in my memory. He will be duly missed by all who him
Phillip Deberry “James and Viola’s Baby boy” My sincere condolences to the family.
A classmate, a GOOD FRIEND and a BROTHER.
Phillip is and will be missed.
Phillip you shall always remain a fond memory to me
The back and forth at the breakfasts in particular.
The years we worked together were great.
Rest in eternal peace my beloved brother.
L R Burke Sr. Area General Mgr. Greyhound /Ret.
Our sincere condolences to the DeBerry Family. DeBerry was a very good friend whom I had the pleasure in working with at the Greyhound Driving School as an Instructor. May God give you strength during these difficult times.
Sorry for so many repeats the sight kept denying my post
Then published all at one time.
There aren’t enough words to express the heartache felt during your passing. You were a light to us. After 22 years of your instruction I still can’t past Ladysmith 110 on I-95S without thanking of that day in training when you asked what that last exit was. The gift of your teaching still linger today when I travel along the highway. Thank you Mr.Deberry. Rest in Peace Sir cause you are truly missed!
There are many stories that could be shared about Phillip but the one that sticks out all the time is how he loved training people. He always loved what he did. When training he loved to put coffee upon the front of the bus and he said if this coffee spills then you fail. It was a pleasure to have learned from him as an instructor and to move up in the company and become his Manager. Mr. Deberry will be greatly missed and his expertise as an instructor has been a great loss to our Company but he will live on in our hearts and mind.
My sincere condolences to his family and in your time of grief know that he was loved and cherished by many and we are grieving with you. May he Rest in Peace
Operator Deberry…. what can I say…this man was one of a kind. Always had a smile and always had a story to tell and ALWAYS had the best snacks lol..he loved some Pork Rinds. I enjoyed working with and getting to know Mr. Deberry, and he is missed dearly everyday. He was one of the GREATS!!! There are people in this world who can change a negative situation into a positive just by their presences Deberry was that person. We have lost a light on this Earth but Heaven gained an Angel. My deepest condolences to the grieving family. May God keep his loving arms of comfort around you all. Deberry will never be forgotten. REST IN PEACE Mr. Deberry.
A 45-year driver for Greyhound, Phillip is missed greatly by many people whose lives he positively impacted throughout our company. His passion about serving customers and training our future Greyhound drivers shined brightly throughout his career and will continue to resonate loudly for years to come. The Greyhound family sends our condolences to the DeBerry family and pray that God will comfort and provide you with a peace that passes all understanding during this difficult time in your lives. God bless.
To have known you and worked side by side with you was an honor. You were an inspiration to all that came in contact with you. There are so many funny stories that I have as well as a lot of great memories. Know that you are missed. Sleep on my dear friend and take your rest . Your schedule is finally complete.
Ebony Barrett
Atlantic City Instructor
Mr Deberry it’s because of your courage and strength that we as African Americans can salute you for being apart of history. Thank you for your service as a Professional Motorcoach Operator. It wasn’t long before you started your career at Greyhound that blacks were only allowed to ride in the back of the bus. Your legacy will live on, much love my brother and may God bless those you loved and left behind, til we meet again. Your fellow Atlanta instructor.
To the DeBerry family you have my sincere condolence. It was a pleasure to have known and worked with DeBerry. He loved to have fun. He seriously loved to train new drivers. His fun loving and humor in the instructor meetings and on the road and on the property will be missed. May God continue to bless and keep you.
0ctober 2016…I stepped foot in Acy to begin my career as a professional motorcoach operator for greyhound inc. My last week of training school they put me with you as my instructor. I will miss your quizzes that you would give to make sure as students that we were ready and trained by the best. I will never forget the last question in school when you asked me ” Dixon, what kind of dog is on the side of the bus?” I still laugh at that. Because of you along with others I am who I am..always a professional. Thank you for everything…Im really going to miss you. Schedule complete…well done…rest in peace my dear friend.
May God our merciful continue to be with your family.
God bless,
Brother L. Weaver and Family
Los Angeles, CA
Mr DeBerry was my primary instructor at the Greyhound driver training school . I learned so much from him about the importance of things on the road that I saw every day and just took for granted, I still can hear his voice instructing me and then telling me that I was trying to put slick the fox, lol he was a real good dude one of the best. The last time I saw him was at Greyhound garage in Pleasantville, NJ we hugged and embrace talked for minute and that was in March. My condolences to the family it is a lost for us all!!
My condolences to all his children and family
Phillip, I’ve known you even before I came to Greyhound. Something like a total of 33 years. I remember well living below you and how you would have those New Year Eve parties. Some really good times. Then after a mural driver/friend of ours talked me into becoming a driver, only then did you start calling Miss Holland. How I got on you constantly about calling me that instead of by my first name since we had known each other before hand. You finally gave in though! Many stories, many laughs, many good tips on driving too. I was so stunned and a loss for words when I heard of your passing. I still can’t believe it. I miss you everyday. Greyhound will not be the same without you. Sleep well my friend. Your schedule is now complete. Your wisdom will live on in us all.
To the family: May our Lord wrap you all in His arms and comfort you in this your time of grieving. Know that you all have a wonderful angel watching over you forever. My deepest condolences to you all.
I met Mr. DeBerry in June 1996 I was loading a bus in Richmond Virginia and needed directions to to Emporia Virginia Mr. Debree so graciously helped me and Led the way then got another great honor to work with him in the driver training school he was a kind and generous person he will be missed by all who knew him My prayers to his family.