Beloved wife, sister, aunt, stepmother, grandmother, great-aunt and friend, Earline Rogers Phillips, 85, departed us at 3:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, after a brief illness.
Grandma/Aunt Lene lived a life of promise, always smiling and passing on a smooch – complete with red lipstick – to all her relatives and the pets she adored. Earline loved to cuddle, pamper and spoil nieces, nephews, grandkids and all sorts of pups.
She loved to travel, taking several treks with Baxter in their R.V.s crossing the country. She loved her church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, serving faithfully in the church office, helping with finances and singing in the choir.
She loved to volunteer her time with Marines and sailors in the Wounded Warrior Barracks assisting with meals and fundraising. She loved all sorts of animals, devoting her time and energy to rescued and abandoned dogs with Carolina Poodle Rescue. She was a woman with many talents to include embroidery, sewing, crochet, cake decorating and home decorating.
Earline was born May 11, 1932, to the late Arthur Maynard Rogers Sr. and Agnes Glen Rogers of Rogersville Road. She was a 1950 graduate of New Hanover High School and she attended Wilmington College. Earline was a homemaker and a real estate broker for many years.
She married her husband Col. Baxter M. Phillips in 1964 and is survived by him. She is also survived by her brothers, Arthur M. Rogers Jr. (Gwen) of Hampstead, Robert “Bobby” Rogers of Wrightsville Beach; niece, Denise Rogers Perry (Duane); nephews, Chad Rogers (Tania) and Alan Rogers (Jennifer); stepson, Baxter M. Phillips Jr. (Faith); stepdaughter, Michelle Speth (Larry); granddaughters, Melanie Phillips Dickerson (Will), Lindsay Speth Morse (Ken) and Jenna Phillips Gezik (Matt); great-nieces and great-nephews, Laura, Will, Ben, Lauren, Katie, Allison, Trent and Hudson; and great-grandchildren Madeline and J.W.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, at Andrews Mortuary and Crematory, Hampstead. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hampstead, with burial to follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Chad Rogers, Alan Rogers, Will Dickerson, Matt Gezik, Will Rogers, Ben Perry and Duane Perry (honorary).
Donations, in lieu of flowers, are encouraged to the Carolina Poodle Rescue, 6705 Union Highway, Pacolet, SC 29372; and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
