WINNSBORO – Hannah Patrick Phillips, 92 of Winnsboro, SC died October 12, 2021, surrounded by family members. Born on June 24, 1929, in Chester, SC, she was the daughter of Killough Henry Patrick and Ivor Brown Patrick of White Oak, SC.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Killough Jr, her sister, Sarah Jane Davis, and her husband of 62 years, H.G. (Phil) Phillips, Jr. She is survived by their children: Grady Phillips (Dora), Jane Phillips, Helen Vanvick (Scott), and Hannah Blanton (Charles). They were the most loving grandparents to twelve: Hannah Spires (Chris), Ruthie Joyner (Sam), Mary Grace Faulk (Eric), Sarah Phillips (Bradley), Herman Phillips, Rebekah Phillips, Caroline Dempster (Andrew), Matthew Vanvick (Virginia), Will Vanvick (Peyton), Virginia Blanton, Charles Blanton, Jr., and Brown Blanton. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren who endearingly called her “Great Mama.” She is also survived by her best friend and twin sister, Ivor (Jim) Stephenson.
Hannah spent her childhood in White Oak and graduated from Mount Zion Institute in Winnsboro in 1946. She received her BA degree in 1950 from Erskine College. For several years she taught school in Walterboro, SC, before her marriage to Phil on July 1, 1953, at the White Oak Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Her church affiliation was with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church until her marriage when she became a member of her husband’s church, First Baptist Church of Winnsboro. In June of 2015, she rejoined the ARP Church as a member of Bethel ARP Church, Winnsboro. It thrilled her to sing Psalms again and go on church retreats to her beloved Bonclarken.
Hannah loved history, especially history of Fairfield County. She was responsible for having White Oak placed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was a charter member of the Fairfield County Historical Society and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1985. She was the former chairman of the Fairfield County Historical Commission and a charter member of the Winnsboro Downtown Development Association. Hannah loved showing off her county to others and was a Fairfield County Tour guide for over 40 years. For 6 years she had “Hannah’s History Quiz” on our local radio station. What she thoroughly enjoyed was being a member and serving one term as Chairman of the Olde English District Commission comprising seven counties. She and Phil were charter members of the Cotillion.
Her love of Fairfield County encouraged her to help keep it beautiful. She was the first chairman of Fairfield County Beautification and Community Improvement Committee. She was also a member of the Governor’s Community Improvement Board. In addition, she was a member of the Anemone Garden Club for over 50 years.
She had a keen interest in the South Carolina Railroad Museum and was a Trustee. Saturdays were special when it involved a train ride.
Her love of children was reflected in the time she invested in them. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout leader and was a board member of the Congaree Girl Scout Council. She taught history at Richard Winn Academy as part of the first faculty and served on the board. She and her husband hosted three Rotary exchange students and were foster parents to a baby girl. Many called her their second mom or second grandmother. She loved mothering and if she ever corrected your grammar or gave you a lesson on manners, consider yourself special.
Above all of her interests and involvements with the community, was the love she had for family. Many memories were made at the family home at Lake Wateree. Nothing thrilled her more than a house full of family, grandchildren sleeping all over the floor so they could be together. Mrs. Phillips wrote three books about family history for her family, just in case they weren’t paying attention when she gave her oral family history lessons.
The H.G. Phillips, Jr. Family was honored with the recognition of Regional Winners and then winner of the “South Carolina Family of the Year” award in 1986, based on the family’s unity, individual growth, and service to the community.
According to Hannah, being a child of God and wife of Phil have been her greatest blessings in life. She lived with dedication, love, and purpose up to her last moments.
Visitation was on the grounds of White Oak ARP Church, 284 Patrick Road, White Oak, SC on Friday, October 15, 2021, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm. Her funeral was held Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 3:00 pm at Bethel ARP Church, 101 Zion Street, Winnsboro, SC with burial following at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Hudson Street Extension, Winnsboro, SC.
Memorials can be made to Bethel ARP Church, PO Box 639, Winnsboro, SC 29180; First Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1373 Newberry Road, Winnsboro, SC, 29180; Erskine College, Living Endowment, PO Box 338, Due West, SC, 29639; Bonclarken Conference Center, 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC, 28731; or to a Christian ministry of your choice.
Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Phillips family.
