Virginia Mae Phillips
- Published: October 18, 2018
Virginia Mae Phillips
Virginia Mae Phillips woke up in Heaven at 7:49 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. Born on Oct. 1, 1925, and raised in Gahanna, Ohio, at 17 she came to Dayton looking to start work. There she met her husband, Robert Phillips, and they were married on May 12, 1943.
Virginia began work at Dewine-Hamma Seed Company, writing tickets for weight at the scales. She was very dependable and hardworking. When Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was being built, she took a job in the personnel department writing tickets on new personnel. Through her hard work and determination, she moved quickly up the ladder and was procurement clerk and the only woman on the procurement team for the then-classified XB-70 Valkyrie, Mach 3 program.
Virginia Mae Phillips
Virginia always kept her faith strong. She was always known for dressing and carrying herself in a feminine, professional manner. Because of her attention to detail, firm handshake and direct honesty, she gained the respect of all her male peers. While being rumored to have the prettiest legs on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she kept her dignity.
Once she retired, she started Virginia’s Cottage Ceramics in Yellow Springs. Locals and Antioch students took part in her studio. She spent most of her retirement on art, ceramics, painting, sewing — all the things she enjoyed creating with her hands.
Virginia never had any children of her own, but she was a very giving soul who loved to provide the children with new Easter clothes and anything that her nieces and nephews could use or that they needed. Her heart was open to help others. She helped several women on their climb up the ladder during her career. She helped other young women, black or white, to succeed in the new post-war era at Wright-Patt — and they did.
Virginia will truly be missed by those who loved her on this earth. There will not be another like her.
She is survived by her brother, James Hildenbrand, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services with luncheon will be held Friday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church.
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