Obituaries

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Rosa Lee Cales Phillips, 93, of Beaver Dam, SC announces her passing on February 9, 2023 at the Lowcountry Community Hospice House. She was the beloved widow of Marvin Urlman Phillips.

Mrs. Phillips lived a life full of love, family and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Born on November 23, 1929 near Jamestown, SC, she was the youngest of 13 children born to Henry Cales and Lessie Villeponteaux Cales. Mrs. Phillips attended Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church where she used to recount that as a child she would walk through the woods with her mother from their home to attend the original church location in Calestown. In later years, she and her late husband would help with the construction of Mt. Calvary Church that is in use today. Ever committed to her faith, they were also both founders of the Harristown Full Gospel Holiness Church where they attended for many years.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Phillips was known for her strong work ethic. Not only did she drive the school bus while her children and grandchildren were in school, she also worked in the cafeteria at Berkeley Middle for several years. She was also a former employee at Berkeley Manufacturing in Moncks Corner. When her work day was done, she focused on the farm she shared with her late husband, tending to chickens, cows and a bountiful vegetable garden. Each year she would preserve the vegetables through canning and freezing while sharing her bounty with family and friends. She also spent many spring and summer months helping to bale hay with her family, including some of her grandchildren who forever cherish that time.

Mrs. Phillips was an animal lover from dogs and rescued squirrels to her beloved feline companions. Her most recent pets Tiger (cat) and Princess(dog) were of great comfort to her. A talented cook, Mrs. Phillips was known for making the best melt in your mouth homemade biscuits. She routinely received family requests for a pan of her biscuits, chocolate cake or apple cake. She loved cooking for her family and treasured family gatherings. In recent years, she especially cherished the time spent with her great grandchildren, Tanner, MaKenna, Jonah, and Gemma cooking or playing games with them.

She will be forever remembered by her two daughters, Linda A. White and her husband, Jim, of Greenville, and Cindy Gaskins and her husband, Norman, of Beaver Dam; a son, Michael M. Phillips and his wife, Donna, of Beaver Dam; six grandchildren, April Mims, Matthew Phillips, Nikki Campbell, Kelly Gaskins, Brandy Gaskins, and Stephen White; and ten great grandchildren.

Services will be 3:00 PM Monday afternoon, February 12, 2023 in the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church. Interment will follow in the nearby Johnson Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Dial-Murray Funeral Home, Moncks Corner, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Sunday evening. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church, 3336 No. Highway 17-A, Bonneau SC 29431.

Mrs. Phillips lived life to the fullest, with gratitude and grace. Her kind heart and loving soul will be missed by all who knew her.