Mary Louise Phillips

MARY LOUISE PHILLIPS, 95, a lifelong resident of Matthews passed away on October 1, 2013. Daughter of the late O.L. (Pete) Phillips and Beulah (Beu) Paxton Phillips, she was born on December 12, 1917. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Matthews, as well as a Charter Member of the Matthews Historical Foundation.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00am on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Matthews 185 S. Trade St. Matthews, NC 28105. A celebration of life service will follow at 11:00am. Interment will be at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mary Louise graduated from Matthews High School in the class of 1934. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College in Charlotte, NC in 1938 and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Emory University in Atlanta, GA in 1939. She began her career as a history teacher/librarian at Glen Alpine High School in Glen Alpine, NC. After one year of teaching, she became librarian for Lunenburg County in Virginia. Several years later, she returned to North Carolina and became librarian at Olivia Raney Library in Raleigh. Taking a break from librarianship in the late 40’s, she was employed at the US Post Office in Matthews where her father was Postmaster. In 1955, she joined the staff at the Mecklenburg County main library in downtown Charlotte as Director of the Carolina Room. As specialist in that area, she became a Charter Member of the Old Mecklenburg Genealogy Society. After 30 years in that appointment, she retired in 1985 and continues to be fondly remembered by her fellow workers.

In Matthews, she was well known for her extensive knowledge of local history and family genealogies of the local citizens.

Mary Louise had many hobbies, including cooking, reading and gardening. She loved the great outdoors and loved to “work in the dirt”. Her legendary vegetable garden, a lifetime endeavor, that attracted many admirers, was a true work of art and meticulously maintained. She never failed to share its bounty with her many friends and neighbors, who were also recipients of her delicious baked and canned goods. One of her greatest virtues was to always offer help to whomever she found in need.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret E. Phillips of Matthews, NC, cousins, Tom (Lib) Phillips of Charlotte, NC, Sam (Norma) Phillips of Denver, NC, Richard Phillips of Denver, NC, David Phillips of Charlotte, NC and many other special cousins and friends. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to the caregivers and all of the special cousins and friends who have been so supportive during this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Matthews First Baptist Church P.O. Box 248 Matthews, NC 28106, Novant Presbyterian Hospice P.O. Box 33549 Charlotte, NC 28233-3549 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com