Nancy Virginia Phillips

1922-2026

Virginia, as she was known to all, passed peacefully at her home in Austin, Texas on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at the age of 103.

She was born on the family farm in Quantico, Wicomico County, Maryland on November 4th, 1922, to the late Claude C. and Stella Bounds Phillips.

She began her education at the 2-room school in Quantico and graduated from Wicomico High School in Salisbury, MD in 1939.

She then attended Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, where she earned the Nickname “PIP”, graduating in 1943 with a BA in Economics and US History.

After a 2-year employment at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), she left to attend Emory University, graduating in 1946 with a BS in Library Science.

In 1946 she started back at UMCP, working at the McKeldin Library and attending American University, graduating in 1959 with MA in US History and Archives. She retired from UMCP in 1975 as Coordinator of Reference Services.

In 1975 she accepted employment at the University of Texas at Austin as Assistant Director for Branch Services, retiring in 1998. During her term at UT, she worked with 17 Branch Libraries.

During her career she was active in the Maryland, Texas and American Library Associations. She was President of the Maryland Association from 1971-72 and made an Honorary Member in 1976.

Virginia always stayed “on the go” traveling extensively through North and South America and Europe. She always enjoyed her trips home to Quantico at Christmas to spend time with family and friends. She continued to travel after retirement and enjoyed her work with the Archives at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, C. Bounds Phillips and his wife Anne of Quantico and a nephew, William C. Phiilips and his wife Karen, also of Quantico and a great niece, Angie Phillips, of Salisbury.

She is survived by nephews George B. Phillips and his son Steve (Rachel) of Hebron, MD and Michael B. Phillips, his wife Dee and children Thomas and Leah of Quantico.

She is also survived by 3 great nieces: Wendell Phillips Ward of Quantico, Jennifer Phillips Vizard (Mike) of Salisbury, and Amy Phillips McKnight (Jeff) of Heath, TX

The family would like to thank all those who have helped Virginia over the past year to include her caregivers, the staff and residents of Cambridge Tower, the staff at St. David’s Hospitals and Hospice, and all her friends she has made over the years in Austin.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 East 8th Street, Austin Texas 78701 at a later date.

A Funeral will be held at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 92, 6457 Quantico Rd, Quantico MD 21856, also at a later date.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to either Church.

The End of an Incredible Journey