Marion McCoy Phillips (Mama Bear) died on July 18, 2022 surrounded by family in a room filled with love. Ms. Phillips was born August, 13, 1930 in Birmingham, AL to Valeria H. McCoy Berry and Curtis Logan McCoy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William P. Phillips, her parents and stepfather, Walter Lee Berry, her brother, Logan Curtis McCoy, Jr, and son-in-law, Jeb Cloyd.
Ms. Phillips is survived by her daughter, Cindy Kirkpatrick Cloyd and sons Bill Phillips (Becky) and Richie Phillips (Gloria). Because of her great propensity for love, each of her seven grandchildren are certain that s/he was Mama Bear’s favorite: Scott Kirkpatrick (Julie), Neil Kirkpatrick, Curt Phillips (Lacey), Bradley Phillips (MaryAnne), Cade Phillips (Whitney), Catherine Mullikin (Rich), and Blake Phillips.
After graduation from Phillips High School and Birmingham Southern College, Ms. Phillips married the love of her life (sixty-six years), Bill Phillips. Obtaining her Masters Degree, Ms. Phillips taught Adaptive Physical Education at UAB which fueled her love of the outdoors, hiking, camping, golf and “jogging”. She was a daily runner before running was cool.
Being a teacher at heart, she shared her love of storytelling, and Teddy Bears, to elementary schools throughout Birmingham. World traveler, who never met a stranger, she made lifelong friends wherever she went. The absolute heart and soul of our family, Mama Bear also possessed a true servant’s heart. She was generously involved with Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, the City of Vestavia Hills, Camp Winnataska and Methodist Children’s Home.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank our dear caregivers, Lawon Layfield, Renardia Scott, Loretta Carter, Sha’Ray Layfield and Carla Jeffries.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of Camp Winnataska, P.O. Box 59514, Birmingham, AL 35259 or Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.
A family memorial service will be live-streamed beginning at 11:00AM, Saturday, July 23, 2022. Please join us at: https://boxcast.tv/channel/jw0osdmkpzq9o7lygbxa
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Phillips family.
