Julia Bray McPhillips

Julia "Julie" Bray McPhillips, age 98, of Norfolk, passed away Friday, January 21, 2022. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Terence Joseph "Joe" McPhillips, her parents, Frank and Frances Pickard Bray, sister, Betty Howard, granddaughter Sarah Benson, and grandson-in-law Corey Velazquez.

Julie grew up in the Colonial Place neighborhood of Norfolk, she started dating Joe McPhillips the summer before their senior year in high school. Julie graduated from Granby High School with their first June graduation class in 1941 and then attended Mary Washington College followed by the College of William & Mary where she joined Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Julie decided not to continue college, but instead went to work at DePaul Hospital for 5 years in Medical Records. Joe served as an Army medic in WW II, then began college at Georgetown University. Julie and Joe married June 11, 1947 at Blessed Sacrament Church and lived in Washington, D.C. while Joe completed his education and their first child, Terry, was born. After graduation in June 1949, they returned to Norfolk where they lived and had 8 more children, all born at DePaul Hospital. Joe worked in the grocery business with his father and eventually bought Bazemore's Market. Julie was a long-time member of La Sertoma, Elizabeth River Women's Club, her bridge club, and also volunteered for years at DePaul Hospital, Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Open Door Food Pantry, and as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She was a lifetime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Julie is survived by her children Terry (Peggy) McPhillips, Frances M. Benson, Lucy M. Oliver, Sarah McPhillips, John McPhillips, Pauline McPhillips, Frank (Carole) McPhillips, Julie M. Hill (Collin), Elizabeth McPhillips Gruber, grandchildren Charlotte Oliver, Morrigan (Shawn) Smith, Whitney Smith, Keenan Smith, Britt (Chris) Smith, Gena Gruber, Kathleen Gruber, step-great-grandson Braedon Smith, and great-grandson Terence Parker Smith. The family would like to thank Ida Becker Hersh for her dedicated service and friendship with Julie, and Sisters-In-Love Home Care for their wonderful care of Julie these last months.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Saturday, February 5th at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following in the social hall. The family asks that attendees wear face masks. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, Blessed Sacrament S.M.I.L.E.S Outreach, or the National Down Syndrome Society. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver .com.