Mrs. Mary Rose Phillips

With much sorrow, the family announces the passing of Mary Rose (Foster) Phillips, age 88, of Huntsville (formerly of Grant). She passed peacefully on Sunday, April 7, 2024, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Known by her family as Mary Rose, Aunt Rose, Aunt Mary, and Mary, she was born near Grant on April 9, 1935, to Robert and Roxie (Parker) Foster. She grew up there with her brother Hoyt Gene, working on the family farm, and having fun with many neighborhood cousins and friends. She attended the nearby Old Union Church where she accepted Christ as her personal savior and became a Christian. She later joined Grant First Baptist Church where she was very active, especially with the Food Ministry and working in the nursery. Mary attended DAR School where she developed lifelong friendships with her classmates. Before her senior graduation in 1953, she was introduced to Ellis Phillips, who had just recently moved into the Grant community. There were several young ladies interested in Ellis, but Mary won out! They dated for a few months and were married on April 9, 1954. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April 2004 and God chose to call him home the following month. During their first years of marriage, Mary worked in retail at Elmore’s Five and Dime and Hammer’s in Guntersville. She worked for several years in manufacturing for the H. D. Lee Company in Guntersville and Grant Manufacturing Company in Grant. She won the hearts of all her employers and co-workers due to her hard work, humility, and kindness. In the latter years of their marriage, she became a wonderful helpmate to Ellis on their farm. She assisted him in raising chickens, hogs, and cattle, and learned to drive the tractor and equipment, raking and baling hay. In 1962, Ellis and Mary were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Sandy. Mary cherished her family and became a stay-at-home mom to care for her baby daughter. She always had meals prepared for Ellis when he returned home from work, and she prepared special meals for Sandy if she didn’t like the menu. For years, their home was the gathering place for Sandy’s friends and all the neighborhood children. There were always specially prepared homemade meals and treats for everyone. It was a wonderful and loving place to visit! In fact, it was so wonderful that Sandy’s cousin, Angie Saint, cried and never wanted to go home.” Halloween caused quite a stir for the trick-or-treaters of the Grant community. Everyone, including the adults, hurried to Miss Mary’s for the homemade popcorn balls. Some years she handed out close to a hundred balls. So much love was wrapped up in each one! (People of the community still talk of how they miss her and these special treats.) In September 1985, Mary started what she would call her favorite job--working at the DAR School Lunchroom. Mary was perfectly suited for this job. She was an excellent cook and she loved children. Because of her very friendly and caring nature, she was a favorite of the many students and faculty who came to lunch each day. She always greeted them with a loving smile and an encouraging word. She retired in June 2000. Through this work, Mary’s greetings and smiles were so important to so many children. Even now as adults, they never fail to mention this when running into her at various places! Throughout her life, Mary did what was natural to her and a calling from God. She loved gardening, canning, and freezing most of the vegetables she grew. Her yard was always in bloom in spring and summer with an assortment of beautiful flowers. She served as caregiver to two elderly aunts, her momma and daddy, and other family members as needed. She took time to care for her neighbors and friends when they were ill or in need. She opened her home various times to families that needed temporary housing. Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Dan Turner, and grandson Jake Turner (all of Huntsville) and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Roxie Foster, her brother and sister-in-law Hoyt Gene and Susie Foster, an infant brother Robert Andy Foster, a nephew Ronald Foster, and her very favorite cousin Bobbie Lou Cooper. Visitation will be held at Grant Memorial Chapel on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 5-8 p.m. The family will receive friends again on Friday, April 12, 2024 beginning at 12 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Dr. Steve Stanfield officiating. Burial will be in Free Home Cemetery. Arrangements Entrusted to Grant Memorial Chapel

Mrs. Mary Rose Phillips

April 9, 1935 - April 7, 2024