Mary Whelchel Phillips

Mary Lewis Whelchel Phillips, age 91, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Mary was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, on January 4, 1935. A 1952 graduate of Gaffney High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Limestone College in 1955. While a college student, she married C. J. "Jack" Phillips, who was serving in the U.S.
Navy. In the fall of 1955, when Jack completed his service and began studies at Clemson, she began her teaching career at Liberty Elementary School in Pickens County. In 1959, they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Mary returned to the classroom as a kindergarten teacher at St. Giles Presbyterian Church when their younger daughter entered kindergarten. Later, Mary taught kindergarten and first grade for Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System.

Mary was an avid reader, and teaching and church were an important part of her life. She participated in her church as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Youth Group leader. She and Jack were active volunteers in their church and community. Mary loved music and played the piano and sang in her church choir, beginning at Midway Baptist and later at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed baking and had an extensive collection of cookbooks, though many were primarily for reading pleasure. One of her specialties was a coconut cake she made every Christmas. Hosting and entertaining were also priorities. She was well known for her hospitality, and her door was always open. Mary had a vibrant personality and made folks feel welcome and appreciated with her grace and sense of humor. She treasured time spent with family and friends, and enjoyed keeping in touch with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Next to Jack, her grandchildren were the light of her life. Mary and Jack were true partners in life and traveled extensively in their retirement years. Milestone anniversaries (Silver and Golden) were celebrated and they renewed their wedding vows at their 60th anniversary celebration. They were so very fortunate to have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends at Midway Baptist church, where they were married on May 31, 1953.

Mary is predeceased by her parents, H.H. and Mary Camp Whelchel; two brothers, Horace Whelchel and Don Whelchel; and three sisters, Elizabeth Patterson, Tommie Ann Ruppe, and Janelle Robison. She is survived by her husband, C.J. "Jack" Phillips; daughters, Pam McIntyre (Paul) and Lyn Fraedrich (Bruce); grandchildren, Mark Fraedrich, Emily Faas (Jarod), John McIntyre (Kristen), and Allan McIntyre (Maggie); and eight great-grandchildren, Joseph, John, James, and  Jacob Faas, Jackson and Jaynee Fraedrich, and James and Riley McIntyre; and her brothers, George Whelchel and H.W. "Bud" Whelchel (Margie).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Midway Baptist Church, with Pastor Ryan Vaughn officiating. Burial will follow in the Midway Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the committal service.

Pallbearers will be Mark Fraedrich, John McIntyre, Allan McIntyre, Jarod Faas, Joseph Faas, and Joe Tynan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to
Holy Angels, 6600 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, NC 28012, or Family Hospice, 1312 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29605.