Phillip Datcher (Age 95) of Washington, DC

Brother Phillip Datcher lived to see the blessed age of 95. He slipped peacefully from earth to Glory on Friday, April 10, 2020 at George Washington University Hospital. Phillip was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland on May 26, 1924, to the late Sydney and Mary (Thomas) Datcher.

Phillip received his call from God at an early age to give his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He joined Mt. Hope Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Reverend C.R. Alexander. He was the oldest male member of Mt. Hope as well as the oldest servant of the Senior Usher Board. Phillip would faithfully travel from Washington, DC to Mt. Hope to attend Sunday Morning Worship Services. He served as an usher until he started to face health challenges.

After attending Sunday Service, Phillip would visit his brothers, sisters, cousins and other family and friends before returning home. He always stopped to fill his water jugs from Charles County's natural water springs.   Even through his many days of not feeling well, he was concerned about members at Mt. Hope and wanted to be kept up-to-date with the Nanjemoy news.

"Tinnie Bit," as he was affectionately known by family and friends, attended Pomonkey High School. Soon after graduating, he joined the United States Army where he served Honorably during World War II. He married the love of his life, Bertha Marsh in August 1950. Together they often traveled to Bertha's hometown in North Carolina.

Tinnie Bit was blessed to work for many years at several Federal agencies as a chauffeur. Driving was one of the things that he loved to do. He also worked part time as a taxicab driver as well as providing private chauffeuring services for the elderly and for the physically disabled. Tinnie Bit saw that as his calling, helping others.

He will be remembered best for his stylish hats and caps. Tinnie Bit was a perfectionist; constantly wiping, shining and mopping floors every night. Oh, let's not forget his squeaky clean cars.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four children; Phillip Hart, Rebecca Braxton, Dwayne and Toni Datcher, six brothers; Frank, Sydney, Thomas, William, Rudolph, Chester, and Reginald; one sister, Florence Datcher.

Phillip leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Bertha, one daughter, Cheryl Saunders, one son-in-law, Jessie Saunders, one daughter-in-law, Allean Hart; five grandchildren, David Warren, Jr. (Renee), NeKate and Latoya Hart, Dominique Datcher-Robinson and Chermel Nelson; 16 great grandchildren, Laura (Keith) Mitchell, Ciara, Latrice, Ti'Jay, Ta'Lea, David III, Keniya Warren, Eric and Paul Blakey, Aliyah and Jamal Doughtery, Keith III, Josiah, Sanai and Shamar Mitchell and Major Tatum, four brothers; Charles, Winston and Gerald Datcher and James "Mickey" Thomas, two sisters; Geraldine Swann and Marie Young; one brother-in-law, Banks Marsh, six sisters-in-law; Adliade, Arnetta, Mildred and Isadore Datcher, Reverend Dr. Ruby Brown-Thomas and Bessie Cox and other relatives and numerous friends.

Viewing, 11am until 12noon, Friday, May 8, 2020, Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640.  Graveside service following at Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 12:30pm.