A Tribute to Mary Philips
I met Mary a few months ago at the Florence Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility. I was
told that Mary was not doing well and not expected to live much longer, but she perked
up and decided she wasn’t quite ready to leave this world.
I was also told that she was a member of the Jackson Heights Church of Christ where I
attend. In other words, she was family, the most important kind, she was my sister in
Christ.
I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for Mary to depend on others day after day
for the most basic needs of life, but nevertheless she always greeted me and my
grandchildren with a smile and a hug. Her eyes lit up when she talked about her family.
I know she deeply loved Gary, her son, who watched over her.
Mary left her frail body on Sunday July 2, 2023. She was 89 years old. She is survived
by her son, Gary Thigpen. My condolences and prayers go out to Gary and to all who
loved her.
I would be amiss if I left out the many caregivers and social workers at Florence Rehab
who not only looked after her needs, but went well beyond the call of duty to make her
life more pleasant. Thanks go out to all of them.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Pisgah Cemetery, Florence, AL.