Sharleen (Souza) Phillips was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. She lived in Michigan and Illinois before relocating to Reno in 2017. Sharleen has a daughter, Hannah Getschman, who resides in Wisconsin. She is married to Gerald Phillips, and they've been together for nearly 22 years. Raised Catholic, Sharleen found a spiritual home at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Reno that aligned with her beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. She became a member of the church in 2019.
At Covenant, she was nominated by the congregation and served as a Deacon from 2020-2023. She was nominated once again and ordained as a Deacon for the period 2024-2027. In addition to being a Deacon, Sharleen holds the position of Treasurer for the Deacon’s Mission. She frequently attends women’s Bible Study sessions and coordinates the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes).
In 2018, Sharleen joined SYNC and participates in the Dress-A-Girl program. She became a member of the Board of Directors in 2022, serving as Secretary. As a representative of SYNC, Sharleen volunteers at the Eddy House, Awaken, Pathfinders, and Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet, doing so in the name of Jesus.
Sharleen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012. Despite her condition, she remains active with a support group at Rock Steady Boxing of Northern Nevada and with the Parkinson’s Support Center of Northern Nevada. Sharleen even facilitates and coordinates a Parkinson’s support group that meets on the second Friday of each month.
Sharleen relies on God to guide her every day to do His will as directed by the Holy Spirit, always in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.
