Joan G. PHILLIPS

WILLIAMSBURG - Joan Gray Hampton Phillips died at home in Williamsburg, in the early morning of June 24, 2010, after waging a protracted and at times, successful battle against metastatic breast cancer.
She was 67 years old and is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph F. Phillips Jr. of Williamsburg; her son, Jeffrey F. Phillips; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lynne Phillips; and two grandsons, Wesley Gray Phillips and Ryan Gregory Phillips of Providence Forge, Va.; her daughter, Susan Phillips Hicks and son-in-law, Brian Carl Hicks of Alexandria, Va.; her brother, Glenn Walter Hampton and his wife, Rebecca Ann Hampton of Chesapeake, Va.; and her niece, Jaclyn Hampton Witthoefft and husband, Brian of Henrico County, Va.
Joan was born in Salisbury, Md., on Sept. 3, 1942, to James Wesley Gray Hampton and Isabel McDowell Hampton, both now deceased. After living briefly in Frederick, Md., her family moved to Cambridge, Md., where she lived until 1960, when she entered William and Mary. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, in 1964, with a BS in Biology. While at W&M, she met Joe who graduated in 1961, and then attended law school there. They were married in Williamsburg on June 8, 1963, and have remained there as permanent residents. For several years Joan worked as a Colonial Williamsburg Hostess and had the pleasure of working with hostesses whose employment dated back to the opening of the Restoration. Joan also worked for many years as the bookkeeper for her husband's law firm. Throughout her time in Williamsburg, Joan was a member of Williamsburg Baptist Church, where she served as a teacher for various youth groups. She also served on the Board of Missions and sang in the Church Choir. She had a particular interest in economic justice and until her health wouldn't permit, participated in All Together. Joan worked as a parent volunteer at Matthew Whaley School and was a member of the Williamsburg Community Chorus (subsequently the Williamsburg Choral Guild) and served as Treasurer. Joan and Joe entertained many international guests in their home and Joan particularly enjoyed showing them many of Virginia's attractions. Needlework, reading mysteries, watching baseball and traveling rounded out her diverse interests. But most of all, Joan had a deep and abiding love for her family and was ever sensitive to their needs and interests. She possessed exceeding grace, wisdom and strength and her family loved her deeply and will always remember her love and kindness and her radiant smile that could light up the room.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., June 27, 2010, at Williamsburg Baptist Church, 227 Richmond Road, Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Williamsburg Baptist Church; the American Cancer Society; Williamsburg Hospice House; or to another charity of your choice.
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