Rock Hill, SC -Mary Phillips White Gettys passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021, at the age of 101. She left behind a legacy that was rich in family and friends, to whom she was the epitome of grace.
Mary Phillips was born on August 6, 1920 to Carlisle and Julia White of Chester, SC. She was the oldest of four children. It could be said without equivocation that she always rose to the occasion: at Chester High School she was valedictorian, after graduating from Erskine College (Due West, SC) in 1941 she taught junior high in Anderson, SC, two years later she enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where she became a lieutenant working on coded messages. After the war, she returned to South Carolina and began working for AAA in Charlotte, NC. Before long life would send her down a different road when she met Tom Gettys. After a four-month courtship they were married on December 9, 1947. Over the next years, they lived their lives between Rock Hill, SC where Tom was a teacher, principal, postmaster and finally attorney, and Washington, DC where he was first an aide to Congressman James Richards and then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. After proudly representing SC for five terms in Congress, Tom and Mary Phillips returned home to Rock Hill, where they would spend the rest of their lives.
When the first of six grandchildren was born, Mary Phillips was given the moniker of "Mamie". She bore that nickname proudly among her family and close friends; those six grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved and was loved by each of them. Though neither of her children lived in SC, they and their families always looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. In 2012 she had the rare privilege of having the first of five great-grandchildren and getting to know them as they, too, looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. This Christmas the family will again gather, coming from as far away as Hawaii, to celebrate her life and lay her to rest.
Mary Phillips was a lifelong member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church; a member of the First ARP Church in Rock Hill since 1947. Since 1954 she has been a member of Over the Teacups Book Club and Trillium Garden Club. She is also a sustaining member of the Rock Hill Junior Welfare League, the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mary Phillips is predeceased by her husband Tom, two brothers and a sister: Tommy White, Louisa Muldrow, and W.C. White, Jr.. She is survived by sister-in-law Gertrude White of Clinton, SC and numerous nieces and nephews as well as both her children: Julia (Bruce) Burchett of Durham, NC and Elizabeth Pierce of Rock Hill, SC; her six grandchildren: Matthew (Carmella), Melissa (Petr Valenta), Megan, and Jeremy Burchett, and Warren and Thomas (Federica) Pierce, and her five great-grandchildren: Sophie and Lucille Burchett, Viktor and Heidi Valenta and Nina Pierce.
Mary Phillips often quoted the Bible verse (Psalm 16:6), "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." She appreciated her life, focused on positives not hardships, and inspired others with her kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, faith, intelligence, and LOVE.
At her request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Instead, she wished others to honor her by "doing good deeds". She supported: First ARP Church, 201 East White Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730; HOPE, Inc., 411 Park Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730; and Westminster Towers Endowment Fund, 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Greene Funeral Home
ROCK HILL, S.C. Mary Phillips Gettys, a South Carolina civic ambassador for decades and World War II veteran, has died. She was 101. Gettys died Wednesday. Gettys was the widow of U.S. Rep. Tom Gettys of Rock Hill, who served South Carolina in Congress for five terms, from 1964 to 1975. Mary Phillips Gettys, a Chester native, was honored in 2017 by the Daughters of the American Revolution for her World War II military service with the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. She enlisted in the Navy during WWII. She served working secret codes at a Naval base in Virginia and did code duty during WWII. You're so close to unlimited story access Subscribe for unlimited digital access – just $2 for 2 months. CLAIM OFFER In a 2017 interview with The Herald when she was 96, she said she felt a duty to serve the country during the war. Two of her brothers were wounded during the war. Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, a nephew of Tom and Mary Gettys, said his aunt showed her love for family, for Rock Hill, for South Carolina, and for her country through her work. "Mary Phillips squeezed every ounce out of life," John Gettys said. "Her service to her country, both in the military and with her husband in his role as a Congressman, was a few generations ahead of the times. However, it was her love of her daughters, grandchildren, extended family and friends that she cherished and defined her life." In 2019, Mary Phillips Gettys was honored on the floor of the Congress with a special recognition by South Carolina's 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill. "She is a true American patriot who always has a smile on her face and has lived her life in true service to her fellow man," Norman said in 2019. Return Man The suspicious death of small-town SC football star and the questions that remain READ MORE Mary Phillips Gettys acted as a civic booster for Rock Hill, York County and South Carolina. She volunteered with several community service clubs over decades through the end of her life. The Gettys couple had two daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom Gettys died in 2003 at age 90. The former federal courthouse on Main Street in Rock Hill was renamed the Tom Gettys Center in 1997. No funeral or visitation will be held, at Mary Phillips Gettys' request, her obituary said. READ NEXT MILITARY Rock Hill woman who loves America served during WW II; now others show gratitude APRIL 18, 2017 11:13 PM Play VideoDuration 1:48 Rock Hill veteran Mary Phillips Gettys receives national honor Mary Phillips Gettys of Rock Hill, a World War II veteran and widow of former Congressman Tom Gettys, received Tuesday the national Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Women in American History. BY ANDREW DYS This story was originally published December 12, 2021 10:24 AM. ANDREW DYS 803-329-4065 Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald,
Mary Phillips was born on August 6, 1920 to Carlisle and Julia White of Chester, SC. She was the oldest of four children. It could be said without equivocation that she always rose to the occasion: at Chester High School she was valedictorian, after graduating from Erskine College (Due West, SC) in 1941 she taught junior high in Anderson, SC, two years later she enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where she became a lieutenant working on coded messages. After the war, she returned to South Carolina and began working for AAA in Charlotte, NC. Before long life would send her down a different road when she met Tom Gettys. After a four-month courtship they were married on December 9, 1947. Over the next years, they lived their lives between Rock Hill, SC where Tom was a teacher, principal, postmaster and finally attorney, and Washington, DC where he was first an aide to Congressman James Richards and then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. After proudly representing SC for five terms in Congress, Tom and Mary Phillips returned home to Rock Hill, where they would spend the rest of their lives.
When the first of six grandchildren was born, Mary Phillips was given the moniker of "Mamie". She bore that nickname proudly among her family and close friends; those six grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved and was loved by each of them. Though neither of her children lived in SC, they and their families always looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. In 2012 she had the rare privilege of having the first of five great-grandchildren and getting to know them as they, too, looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. This Christmas the family will again gather, coming from as far away as Hawaii, to celebrate her life and lay her to rest.
Mary Phillips was a lifelong member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church; a member of the First ARP Church in Rock Hill since 1947. Since 1954 she has been a member of Over the Teacups Book Club and Trillium Garden Club. She is also a sustaining member of the Rock Hill Junior Welfare League, the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mary Phillips is predeceased by her husband Tom, two brothers and a sister: Tommy White, Louisa Muldrow, and W.C. White, Jr.. She is survived by sister-in-law Gertrude White of Clinton, SC and numerous nieces and nephews as well as both her children: Julia (Bruce) Burchett of Durham, NC and Elizabeth Pierce of Rock Hill, SC; her six grandchildren: Matthew (Carmella), Melissa (Petr Valenta), Megan, and Jeremy Burchett, and Warren and Thomas (Federica) Pierce, and her five great-grandchildren: Sophie and Lucille Burchett, Viktor and Heidi Valenta and Nina Pierce.
Mary Phillips often quoted the Bible verse (Psalm 16:6), "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." She appreciated her life, focused on positives not hardships, and inspired others with her kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, faith, intelligence, and LOVE.
At her request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Instead, she wished others to honor her by "doing good deeds". She supported: First ARP Church, 201 East White Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730; HOPE, Inc., 411 Park Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730; and Westminster Towers Endowment Fund, 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Greene Funeral Home
ROCK HILL, S.C. Mary Phillips Gettys, a South Carolina civic ambassador for decades and World War II veteran, has died. She was 101. Gettys died Wednesday. Gettys was the widow of U.S. Rep. Tom Gettys of Rock Hill, who served South Carolina in Congress for five terms, from 1964 to 1975. Mary Phillips Gettys, a Chester native, was honored in 2017 by the Daughters of the American Revolution for her World War II military service with the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. She enlisted in the Navy during WWII. She served working secret codes at a Naval base in Virginia and did code duty during WWII. You're so close to unlimited story access Subscribe for unlimited digital access – just $2 for 2 months. CLAIM OFFER In a 2017 interview with The Herald when she was 96, she said she felt a duty to serve the country during the war. Two of her brothers were wounded during the war. Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, a nephew of Tom and Mary Gettys, said his aunt showed her love for family, for Rock Hill, for South Carolina, and for her country through her work. "Mary Phillips squeezed every ounce out of life," John Gettys said. "Her service to her country, both in the military and with her husband in his role as a Congressman, was a few generations ahead of the times. However, it was her love of her daughters, grandchildren, extended family and friends that she cherished and defined her life." In 2019, Mary Phillips Gettys was honored on the floor of the Congress with a special recognition by South Carolina's 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill. "She is a true American patriot who always has a smile on her face and has lived her life in true service to her fellow man," Norman said in 2019. Return Man The suspicious death of small-town SC football star and the questions that remain READ MORE Mary Phillips Gettys acted as a civic booster for Rock Hill, York County and South Carolina. She volunteered with several community service clubs over decades through the end of her life. The Gettys couple had two daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom Gettys died in 2003 at age 90. The former federal courthouse on Main Street in Rock Hill was renamed the Tom Gettys Center in 1997. No funeral or visitation will be held, at Mary Phillips Gettys' request, her obituary said. READ NEXT MILITARY Rock Hill woman who loves America served during WW II; now others show gratitude APRIL 18, 2017 11:13 PM Play VideoDuration 1:48 Rock Hill veteran Mary Phillips Gettys receives national honor Mary Phillips Gettys of Rock Hill, a World War II veteran and widow of former Congressman Tom Gettys, received Tuesday the national Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Women in American History. BY ANDREW DYS This story was originally published December 12, 2021 10:24 AM. ANDREW DYS 803-329-4065 Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald,
Rock Hill, SC -Mary Phillips White Gettys passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021, at the age of 101. She left behind a legacy that was rich in family and friends, to whom she was the epitome of grace.
Mary Phillips was born on August 6, 1920 to Carlisle and Julia White of Chester, SC. She was the oldest of four children. It could be said without equivocation that she always rose to the occasion: at Chester High School she was valedictorian, after graduating from Erskine College (Due West, SC) in 1941 she taught junior high in Anderson, SC, two years later she enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where she became a lieutenant working on coded messages. After the war, she returned to South Carolina and began working for AAA in Charlotte, NC. Before long life would send her down a different road when she met Tom Gettys. After a four-month courtship they were married on December 9, 1947. Over the next years, they lived their lives between Rock Hill, SC where Tom was a teacher, principal, postmaster and finally attorney, and Washington, DC where he was first an aide to Congressman James Richards and then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. After proudly representing SC for five terms in Congress, Tom and Mary Phillips returned home to Rock Hill, where they would spend the rest of their lives.
When the first of six grandchildren was born, Mary Phillips was given the moniker of "Mamie". She bore that nickname proudly among her family and close friends; those six grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved and was loved by each of them. Though neither of her children lived in SC, they and their families always looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. In 2012 she had the rare privilege of having the first of five great-grandchildren and getting to know them as they, too, looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. This Christmas the family will again gather, coming from as far away as Hawaii, to celebrate her life and lay her to rest.
Mary Phillips was a lifelong member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church; a member of the First ARP Church in Rock Hill since 1947. Since 1954 she has been a member of Over the Teacups Book Club and Trillium Garden Club. She is also a sustaining member of the Rock Hill Junior Welfare League, the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mary Phillips is predeceased by her husband Tom, two brothers and a sister: Tommy White, Louisa Muldrow, and W.C. White, Jr.. She is survived by sister-in-law Gertrude White of Clinton, SC and numerous nieces and nephews as well as both her children: Julia (Bruce) Burchett of Durham, NC and Elizabeth Pierce of Rock Hill, SC; her six grandchildren: Matthew (Carmella), Melissa (Petr Valenta), Megan, and Jeremy Burchett, and Warren and Thomas (Federica) Pierce, and her five great-grandchildren: Sophie and Lucille Burchett, Viktor and Heidi Valenta and Nina Pierce.
Mary Phillips often quoted the Bible verse (Psalm 16:6), "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." She appreciated her life, focused on positives not hardships, and inspired others with her kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, faith, intelligence, and LOVE.
At her request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Instead, she wished others to honor her by "doing good deeds". She supported: First ARP Church, 201 East White Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730; HOPE, Inc., 411 Park Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730; and Westminster Towers Endowment Fund, 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Greene Funeral Home
ROCK HILL, S.C. Mary Phillips Gettys, a South Carolina civic ambassador for decades and World War II veteran, has died. She was 101. Gettys died Wednesday. Gettys was the widow of U.S. Rep. Tom Gettys of Rock Hill, who served South Carolina in Congress for five terms, from 1964 to 1975. Mary Phillips Gettys, a Chester native, was honored in 2017 by the Daughters of the American Revolution for her World War II military service with the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. She enlisted in the Navy during WWII. She served working secret codes at a Naval base in Virginia and did code duty during WWII. You're so close to unlimited story access Subscribe for unlimited digital access – just $2 for 2 months. CLAIM OFFER In a 2017 interview with The Herald when she was 96, she said she felt a duty to serve the country during the war. Two of her brothers were wounded during the war. Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, a nephew of Tom and Mary Gettys, said his aunt showed her love for family, for Rock Hill, for South Carolina, and for her country through her work. "Mary Phillips squeezed every ounce out of life," John Gettys said. "Her service to her country, both in the military and with her husband in his role as a Congressman, was a few generations ahead of the times. However, it was her love of her daughters, grandchildren, extended family and friends that she cherished and defined her life." In 2019, Mary Phillips Gettys was honored on the floor of the Congress with a special recognition by South Carolina's 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill. "She is a true American patriot who always has a smile on her face and has lived her life in true service to her fellow man," Norman said in 2019. Return Man The suspicious death of small-town SC football star and the questions that remain READ MORE Mary Phillips Gettys acted as a civic booster for Rock Hill, York County and South Carolina. She volunteered with several community service clubs over decades through the end of her life. The Gettys couple had two daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom Gettys died in 2003 at age 90. The former federal courthouse on Main Street in Rock Hill was renamed the Tom Gettys Center in 1997. No funeral or visitation will be held, at Mary Phillips Gettys' request, her obituary said. READ NEXT MILITARY Rock Hill woman who loves America served during WW II; now others show gratitude APRIL 18, 2017 11:13 PM Play VideoDuration 1:48 Rock Hill veteran Mary Phillips Gettys receives national honor Mary Phillips Gettys of Rock Hill, a World War II veteran and widow of former Congressman Tom Gettys, received Tuesday the national Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Women in American History. BY ANDREW DYS This story was originally published December 12, 2021 10:24 AM. ANDREW DYS 803-329-4065 Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald,
Mary Phillips was born on August 6, 1920 to Carlisle and Julia White of Chester, SC. She was the oldest of four children. It could be said without equivocation that she always rose to the occasion: at Chester High School she was valedictorian, after graduating from Erskine College (Due West, SC) in 1941 she taught junior high in Anderson, SC, two years later she enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where she became a lieutenant working on coded messages. After the war, she returned to South Carolina and began working for AAA in Charlotte, NC. Before long life would send her down a different road when she met Tom Gettys. After a four-month courtship they were married on December 9, 1947. Over the next years, they lived their lives between Rock Hill, SC where Tom was a teacher, principal, postmaster and finally attorney, and Washington, DC where he was first an aide to Congressman James Richards and then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. After proudly representing SC for five terms in Congress, Tom and Mary Phillips returned home to Rock Hill, where they would spend the rest of their lives.
When the first of six grandchildren was born, Mary Phillips was given the moniker of "Mamie". She bore that nickname proudly among her family and close friends; those six grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved and was loved by each of them. Though neither of her children lived in SC, they and their families always looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. In 2012 she had the rare privilege of having the first of five great-grandchildren and getting to know them as they, too, looked forward to going to "Mamie's house" for Christmas. This Christmas the family will again gather, coming from as far away as Hawaii, to celebrate her life and lay her to rest.
Mary Phillips was a lifelong member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church; a member of the First ARP Church in Rock Hill since 1947. Since 1954 she has been a member of Over the Teacups Book Club and Trillium Garden Club. She is also a sustaining member of the Rock Hill Junior Welfare League, the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mary Phillips is predeceased by her husband Tom, two brothers and a sister: Tommy White, Louisa Muldrow, and W.C. White, Jr.. She is survived by sister-in-law Gertrude White of Clinton, SC and numerous nieces and nephews as well as both her children: Julia (Bruce) Burchett of Durham, NC and Elizabeth Pierce of Rock Hill, SC; her six grandchildren: Matthew (Carmella), Melissa (Petr Valenta), Megan, and Jeremy Burchett, and Warren and Thomas (Federica) Pierce, and her five great-grandchildren: Sophie and Lucille Burchett, Viktor and Heidi Valenta and Nina Pierce.
Mary Phillips often quoted the Bible verse (Psalm 16:6), "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." She appreciated her life, focused on positives not hardships, and inspired others with her kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, faith, intelligence, and LOVE.
At her request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Instead, she wished others to honor her by "doing good deeds". She supported: First ARP Church, 201 East White Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730; HOPE, Inc., 411 Park Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730; and Westminster Towers Endowment Fund, 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Greene Funeral Home
ROCK HILL, S.C. Mary Phillips Gettys, a South Carolina civic ambassador for decades and World War II veteran, has died. She was 101. Gettys died Wednesday. Gettys was the widow of U.S. Rep. Tom Gettys of Rock Hill, who served South Carolina in Congress for five terms, from 1964 to 1975. Mary Phillips Gettys, a Chester native, was honored in 2017 by the Daughters of the American Revolution for her World War II military service with the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. She enlisted in the Navy during WWII. She served working secret codes at a Naval base in Virginia and did code duty during WWII. You're so close to unlimited story access Subscribe for unlimited digital access – just $2 for 2 months. CLAIM OFFER In a 2017 interview with The Herald when she was 96, she said she felt a duty to serve the country during the war. Two of her brothers were wounded during the war. Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, a nephew of Tom and Mary Gettys, said his aunt showed her love for family, for Rock Hill, for South Carolina, and for her country through her work. "Mary Phillips squeezed every ounce out of life," John Gettys said. "Her service to her country, both in the military and with her husband in his role as a Congressman, was a few generations ahead of the times. However, it was her love of her daughters, grandchildren, extended family and friends that she cherished and defined her life." In 2019, Mary Phillips Gettys was honored on the floor of the Congress with a special recognition by South Carolina's 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill. "She is a true American patriot who always has a smile on her face and has lived her life in true service to her fellow man," Norman said in 2019. Return Man The suspicious death of small-town SC football star and the questions that remain READ MORE Mary Phillips Gettys acted as a civic booster for Rock Hill, York County and South Carolina. She volunteered with several community service clubs over decades through the end of her life. The Gettys couple had two daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom Gettys died in 2003 at age 90. The former federal courthouse on Main Street in Rock Hill was renamed the Tom Gettys Center in 1997. No funeral or visitation will be held, at Mary Phillips Gettys' request, her obituary said. READ NEXT MILITARY Rock Hill woman who loves America served during WW II; now others show gratitude APRIL 18, 2017 11:13 PM Play VideoDuration 1:48 Rock Hill veteran Mary Phillips Gettys receives national honor Mary Phillips Gettys of Rock Hill, a World War II veteran and widow of former Congressman Tom Gettys, received Tuesday the national Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Women in American History. BY ANDREW DYS This story was originally published December 12, 2021 10:24 AM. ANDREW DYS 803-329-4065 Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald,
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