Margaret Phillips

Margaret James Phillips, 100, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 in Leesburg, Virginia surrounded by family. A celebration of life memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Kossuth.

Margaret was born in Friars Point, MS to the late Erneze and Amon W. James. She graduated from Okalona High School as President and Valedictorian of her class. She attended Mississippi State University for Women, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She served as the editor of the annual "Mey Lady" and was a member of the Mortar Board Honorary Society. Margaret worked as a secretary to Congressman Thomas G. Abernethy and taught school in Shelby, Corinth and Clarksdale, MS.

In 1955, she married Rubel Lex Phillips, Sr. and they moved to Jackson. Margaret was active in civic, school and church activities. She was a member of First Baptist Church and a founding member of Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, where she taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon. She was active at St. Andrews Episcopal School in the parental organizations and served on the Board of Trustee. Professionally, she owed an antique shop and worked as an interior design consultant for over twenty years. After Rubel's passing in 2011, she moved to Leesburg, VA to be closer to family.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Rubel Lex Phillips, Jr. (Melinda) and Dr. William James Phillips (Alison); granddaughters, Caroline "Cara" Marie Frye (Charlie) and Margaret Ann "Megan" Phillips; and great grandson, William Edward Frye.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the Phillips family.

The family has entrusted McPeters Funeral Directors with the arrangements.