Frances Bunn Phillips

Frances Bunn Phillips died April 2, 2024, in Morehead City, NC. She was 88 years old.

Anna Frances Bunn was born April 6, 1935, in Raleigh, NC, to Bonnie David Bunn and Iola Finch Bunn. She spent most of her formative years growing up in Oxford, NC, where her father was superintendent of the Granville County public schools. In her last years, Frances remembered her childhood with great fondness, filled with art, music, and summers in Morehead City, where her uncle, John Bunn, was the pastor of the First Baptist Church.

After high school graduation, Frances studied briefly at what was at that time East Carolina College. She left that pursuit in 1951 for marriage to Herbert O. Phillips III and life in Morehead City. They were blessed in rapid succession by the births of three children, Herbert O. Phillips IV, Bonnie Raymond, and Allison Brooks Phillips. When the children were older, Frances returned to ECC, now ECU, and completed her BA. Throughout the course of her adult life, Frances worked variously in the energy, education, insurance, and real estate industries. But her greatest love and calling was her role as homemaker and mother. She was active in many aspects of the Morehead city community. She was a spiritual seeker and devoted Christian, finding in the final chapter of her life her church home in the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Morehead City.

Frances was a lover of beauty, finding inspiration and solace in art, flowers, classical music, the sea, travel, and the faces of her seven grandchildren. She anchored a four-couple bridge club for four decades.

Mrs. Phillips was predeceased by her parents; her husband; and her dear sister and only sibling, Blonnie Wyche.

She is survived by one son, Herb Phillips IV of Asheville (and his wife Betsy and children Elizabeth and Bert, and Bert’s wife Kelly); and two daughters, Allison Brooks Phillips (and her children Rebecca Gitlen and Zachary Brooks), and Bonnie Raymond (and her children Josh, Jamison, and Dakota Raymond, and Dakota’s wife Ashlin and children Avery and Dean.) She is also survived by nephews David and Graham Wyche and devoted friend and problem-solver, Ellen Maready.

The family would like to express gratitude for those who cared for Frances in her difficult final path: Dr. John Rickabaugh; 3HC Hospice of Carteret County; and the never-bending staff of both Crystal Bluffs and Carteret Landing.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to 3HC Hospice c/o April Brantham, Director of Philanthropy, 919-735-1387, ext. 1072, abrantham@3HC.org.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net.

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.