Barbara Sparrow Phillips

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Jean Sparrow Phillips (“Mimi”) announces her peaceful passing on July 11, 2021, at the age of 91 in Flower Mound, Texas. Mimi was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many. She always greeted everyone with a smile that made her blue eyes sparkle. She was adored by those privileged to know her.

Mimi was born to Ruby Mae Dodson and John Augustus Sparrow on August 28th, 1929, in Carrboro, North Carolina in the home of her loving grandmother, Emma Dodson. She attended UNC-Greensboro and married John (“Jack”) Ives Fagan Phillips. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps, and fought in World War II, the Korean War, and in Vietnam. Mimi was an active Marine wife and mother, following Jack wherever possible to raise their two children, Sandy and Rebecca. Mimi and Jack were active members of the Episcopal Church community and dedicated their lives to their family, military life, and serving others. After settling in Durham, North Carolina, Mimi, a Tar Heel fan, worked for the University of North Carolina until her retirement in 1992. She focused her career on programs that served to advocate for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Not only was Mimi passionate about helping people, but there wasn’t an animal she met that she did not love. She always had many pets throughout her entire life, including fish, goats, hamsters, birds, cats, and dogs. She enjoyed the peace and tranquility of being out in nature and caring for wildlife, and was happiest feeding the birds, squirrels, and deer.

Family was very important to Mimi. That was clear not only in her generous and kind spirit but in the sacrifices that she made to live with each of her daughters and was instrumental in helping raise their families. The precious time spent with her four grandchildren (Jeannie, Lee, John, and Sarah) during their formative years is priceless. Her selflessness was a wonderful gift that her family was blessed to receive and is truly grateful for. Education was also important to Mimi, and she encouraged all her grandchildren to pursue their education and follow their dreams.

Mimi was preceded in death by her husband, John Ives Fagan Phillips (1977), her mother, Ruby Mae Dodson and her father, John Augustus Sparrow.

Mimi is survived by her daughters, Sandy Huskins of Flower Mound, Texas and Rebecca Whitehead and her husband Ran Whitehead of Santa Barbara, California. Mimi is also survived by her brother, Jimmy Mangum, his wife Joyce, and their family of Durham, North Carolina. Mimi will be sadly missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jeannie, her husband Greg Hoffman, and their children, Erica & Andrew of Flower Mound, Texas; Lee Huskins, his wife Ronela, and their daughter, Jordan of Lafayette, California; John Whitehead and Sarah Whitehead.

In remembrance of Mimi’s life, the family asks that any memorial contributions be made In Honor of Barbara Phillips to Hill Learning Center located at 3200 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705. Hill Center specializes in “equitable, research-based, differentiated instruction for students with learning and attention challenges.” This is the school that Lee attended for his learning disability. Website: https://www.hillcenter.org/make-a-gift/

Mimi will be laid to rest on Monday, August 9th at 11am with a graveside service next to our grandfather in the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery in North Carolina.