Virginia Estelle Phillips

Virginia Estelle Phillips, a guiding light for her family and friends, passed away

peacefully on January 1, 2025, at the age of 77 in Bonnie Blink, Cockeysville, MD. Born

on April 24, 1947 to Virginia Estelle and Estel Longworth in Baltimore, MD, Virginia

lived a life marked by faith, love, and a commitment to her community. From the start,

she had a love for music and with that enduring love, played the cornet for both the

Southern High School band and in the Salvation Army, where her heart always

maintained a membership, sang in and directed many choirs, and passed that love of

music along to her family. She was a pianist and

Affectionately known to her husband as “Gin,” Virginia was a cherished wife,

mother, grandmother, and friend. As a young wife and mother, she willingly followed

her soldier husband from assignment to assignment, raising their children together

when they could, and when he was committed to assignments that she could not follow,

she dutifully stayed behind to “hold down the fort.” She used their family military

service to encourage her family to take in all the sights and experiences that they could,

creating memories that we cherish to this day.

Professionally, Virginia was respected as an Information Technology Specialist at

Aberdeen Proving Ground, where her intelligence and diligence were instrumental in

advancing the field. Her colleagues remember her as a mentor who was always willing to

share her extensive knowledge with others.

Beyond her professional achievements, Virginia was deeply involved in her

community. She was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving in

various stations including Worthy Matron for Franconian Chapter #14 and Wurzburg

Chapter #7 (Germany), secretary for Victory Chapter #40 (Aberdeen), director of the

Grand Choir for Maryland, etc. She also served her local National Sojourners chapter as

the treasurer. Led by financial savviness and a strong sense of female empowerment,

Virginia helped found WITMIC (Women in The Money Investment Club). It continues

today, educating women on how to understand their finances, the world of stocks and

investments, and how to parlay a little into a lot.

Virginia's love for music and her faith were inseparable; she brought harmony

and joy to many gatherings. She loved being a member of both the carillon bell choir

and sanctuary choir at Grace United Methodist Church, where she also served as a

member of Priscilla Circle, the namer of the Needle Guild of Grace, and a participant of

the card-making guild. She lovingly helped to hand-craft greeting cards for the sick and

shut-ins, those who were away from their families, and anyone in need of a lift. Her

contributions were a testament to her faith-filled spirit and her ability to uplift those

around her.

Those who knew Virginia will remember her for the profound kindness that she

exhibited every day, and the melody of service, love, and dedication that harmonized

beautifully with the values she held dear. Her guidance and loving presence will be

sorely missed but her spirit will always resonate in the lives of all those she touched.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Gerald R. Phillips, of Aberdeen, with

whom she celebrated 59 years of marriage on December 4 th ; her son, Thomas R. Phillips

(and wife Shirley), also of Aberdeen; her daughter, Catherine R. Phillips, of Oakland,

MD; and her beloved granddaughters, Megan Phillips Walter, Esq. (and husband Brent)

of Cumberland, and Sylvanna Estelle Phillips, all of whom she was extremely proud. She

is further survived by an incredible acquired family that loved her as much as she loved

them: nephews Jacob (and Ryta, Grayson, and an addition on the way) of Baltimore,

MD; Daniel, of Aberdeen, MD; much beloved family-in-law in Salinas, CA; Joe (and

Talena) Longworth of Oxford, OH; there are many, many others, with bonds offered

from, and accepted through, a love of genealogy and family history. Together, they

formed the cornerstone of her life, and she nurtured each relationship with the same

care and attention that she gave to her many passions. She is preceded in death by her

parents Estel and Virginia Estelle, her brother Joseph Longworth, her stepfather James

Breen, and many others. The reunion should be a laugh riot.

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation at Tarring Cargo Funeral Home,

333 S. Parke St., Aberdeen, MD 21001 on Sunday January 5 th , 2025, from 2-4 and 5-7

pm. An OES service will be held at 6:30pm. Services honoring her life will be held at the

funeral home Monday January 6 th , 2025, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Baker

Cemetery after which a repast will be held at Grace Methodist Church. Contributions in

her memory (in lieu of flowers) may be made to Grace Methodist Church.