Beatrice "Bea" Phillips, 97, a longtime resident of Acts Manor House in Seaford, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Bea was born on March 21, 1929, in Hepburn Township, Pennsylvania, to the late John Harold Shafer and Mildred Viola Kyle Shafer.

Bea graduated from Mansfield State Teachers College with the Class of 1950, earning a bachelor's degree in education. She was devoted to her growing young family. In 1962, the Phillips family moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware, where she became an active member of Georgetown Presbyterian Church. She began teaching home economics at Georgetown High School and then Sussex Central High School. Her passion for education and commitment to her students was recognized in 1983 when she was named Indian River School District Teacher of the Year.

Bea found great joy in sewing and quilting and was a proud member of a local quilters' guild. She was known for her creativity, generosity, and caring spirit, touching the lives of family, friends, church members, colleagues, and countless students throughout her lifetime. Approximately 13 years ago, when she became a resident of Acts Manor House in Seaford, she transferred her church membership to Seaford Presbyterian Church. Her faith was an important part of her life.

In addition to her parents, Bea was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, James C. Phillips, and three of her sisters.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Neil R. Phillips and his wife, Elizabeth J.; Guy E. Phillips and his wife, Nancy; Keith J. Phillips and his wife, Anna Mae; and Ellen P. Campbell and her partner, William Hariu. She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Shafer; her nine grandchildren; Wendy, Lindsay, Dale, Sara, Mark, Noel, Denver, Cody, and Amanda; and her fourteen great-grandchildren, Jordan, Lauren, AJ, Ruby, Emily, Jillian, Morgan, Tiffany, James, Audrey, Hadley, Lane, Ruby, and Pearl and three great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market Street, Georgetown, Delaware 19947. A private interment will be held at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Bea's memory be made to the Seaford Presbyterian Church, 701 Bridgeville Hwy, Seaford, DE 19973.

Bea will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love of family, her dedication to education, and the kindness and grace she shared with everyone who knew her. Her legacy will continue through the many lives she touched and the family she cherished so deeply.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at ShortFuneralServicesAndCremation.com. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown, Delaware.