Mildred Bluett Phillips

Mildred Bluett Phillips, wife of Dr. J. Arch Phillips, Jr., died peacefully at her home near Jarrettsville on May 25, 2024.  Age 94, daughter of the late George W. and Beatrice Huber Bluett was born October 30, 1929 in Philadelphia, moving at an early age with the family to Baltimore.

Graduating from Forest Park High School in 1947, she earned her B.A. in Physical Education at James Madison College (now University).  Her teaching career began as a travelling teacher to several elementary schools in Baltimore County and, later at Hereford High School and Golden Ring Jr. High School.

She completed graduate studies at Kent (Ohio)State University and, after her children were launched in school, returned to teaching, retiring from the Kent (Ohio) City Schools.  She also taught in the Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) schools and at Kent State University. As a physical education teacher, she was ahead of her time as a strong advocate and practitioner of movement education for children. She was active in community and professional organizations including President of the Kent, Ohio chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Kent AAUW, and a member of the Portage County Board of Mental Health.

Along with managing an active household, Millie welcomed scores of friends, colleagues and especially international students and visiting scholars to share in holiday celebrations and special occasions.  In retirement she became the family genealogist searching her and her husband, Arch’s roots in England and Germany.  An intrepid traveler with her husband, she explored six continents, 50 states and most of Canada, savoring the cultures as she went. She had a creative mind, was an avid reader and member of the Jarrrettsville Book Lovers Club. She devoted many hours as a volunteer at the Jarrettsville Library until her health failed.  One of her greatest joys was spending time with her family at the house on Hatteras Island she designed.  Sand and surf close by was part of her being.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her two sisters, Helen B. Bauer and Dorothy B. Ingliss.   In addition to her husband she is survived by her children; Dr. James A. Phillips, III , Efland, NC; Stephen W. Phillips, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Beatrice Ann Phillips-Brown (Eric), Annandale, VA; and two granddaughters, Taylor Phillips-Brown Keller, (Zachary) , Denver, CO; and Anna Phillips-Brown Beye, (Noah), Rockville, MD.

Friends may call at McComas Funeral Home, 50 W. Broadway, Bel Air, MD 4:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, May 31.   Memorial Service Saturday, June 1, 11:30 am, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 330 N. Main St., Bel Air, MD.  Interment Private

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to any of the following:

WomenHeart: supporting women with or at risk of heart disease: womenheart.org

Susan G. Komen Foundation Breast Cancer Research: komen.org

Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: mdspca.org