Mary Mauvelene (Adams) Phipps

Mary Mauvelene Adams Phipps went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. She was 92 years old.  She lived in Austin, Texas, with her son and near her daughter and son-in-law.

Mary was born in Taylor County, Texas, on August 23, 1923, to Chester T. and Wilma McMillon Adams.  Her beloved aunt, Addie Naomi McMillon, helped raise Mary and her six brothers and sisters.  Mary graduated from Ovalo High School in 1941 where she excelled in several U.I.L. competitions.  She then attended Draughon’s Business School in Abilene, Texas, and later moved to San Antonio with her best friend, Alpha Graham, to work.

Mary married Robert Vernon Phipps in 1948 in Rapid City, South Dakota, in his home state.  Their daughter, Linda Carole Phipps, was born in 1949 and their son, Brian Robert Phipps, was born in 1954.  Mary and Bob lived in Midland, Texas, for many years.  During that time Mary completed her education at Midland Commercial Business School.  Bob was a geologist and Mary worked as a secretary for the Department of Public Safety for fourteen years after her children were in school.

Mary and Bob moved to Austin, Texas, in 1970, so he could work for the Texas Land Office.  Mary transferred to the Department of Public Safety in Austin where she worked in the Criminal Law division for more than ten additional years.  After they retired, Mary and Bob had many happy years traveling and visiting with family and friends.  They loved to cruise and made many new friends during those voyages.  Bob preceded Mary in death in 1995.  Mary spent the years after his passing close to her children.  She loved watching her favorite sports teams on television and seldom missed a game.  She kept up with the news of the day and loved to chat with family and friends by phone.  She was a fabulous cook and many will remember delicious meals at her house.  Mary was a loving, caring daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend who gave abundantly to those she loved.  Above all, she loved the Lord and dedicated her life to Christ at a young age.  Those Christian values were very apparent in the way she lived.

“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”  Romans 14:8

Survivors include her children, Linda Phipps Horn and husband David and Brian Phipps; a sister, Patty Adams Rosson and husband Ken; a brother, Jerry Adams and wife Donna; brother-in-law Jake Popnoe and wife Leona, sister-in-law Jane Adams and numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses, children and grandchildren.  Mary loved all of them very much.

Mary is predeceased by her husband, Robert Phipps, her brother, Ralph Adams, and her sisters, Janie Adams Smith Thompson, Fern Adams Wood Beaver and Willa Glyn “Bitty” Adams Popnoe.  Her beloved niece, Kathy Antilley Walker, recently predeceased Mary.

Mary was hardworking and kind, always encouraging, loving and trustworthy. She was generous to a fault.  She lived life with few, if any, regrets.  She will be greatly missed.

Services are being handled by Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola, TX.  A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday, August 12, at Lawn Baptist Church.  Services will be held at Lawn Baptist Church on Friday, August 12, at 11 a.m.  Mary will be interred beside her father and mother and her sister, Fern, in Dewey Cemetery near Lawn, Texas, immediately following the services.

Pallbearers are Randy Adams, Russell Adams, Tony Rosson, Kerry Rosson, Mike Wood, Matt Popnoe, Mark Heath, and Jon Cohen.

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.”  1 Thessalonians 4:17-18