Mary Louise Shepherd Philp died on Saturday, January 31, 2004. She was born in Beaumont on October 16, 1915, to Albert Edward Shepherd and Mabel Winne Shepherd and was a lifelong resident of Beaumont. She was educated in the Beaumont public schools, after which she attended Lamar College and Southern Methodist University, where she became a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She married Roy Marvin Philp on July 30, 1935. Mimi’s life revolved around an active family and many community endeavors. Since 1926, she had been a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she participated fully in the mission of the church through the Hazel Reeves Circle and was a loyal member of the Alpha Omega Sunday School Class.
Mary Louise was an avid gardener and horticulturist. She delighted in sharing her knowledge and also the fruits of her labor. The long flower bed across the width of her back yard, which at first featured the exquisite camellia bushes she and Roy planted together, became through the years a thriving abundance of the plants she gave and received in the true expression of her spirit. She once remarked that she ‘never had a boring day and had all the maidenhair fern I ever wanted.” Her work and friendships in the Magnolia Garden Club were of special significance, and she always remembered the kind group that came to weed the flowerbeds when she first became ill.
She was a member and past president of the Junior League of Beaumont, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas, PEO Chapter CC, The Athena Investment Club, The Golden Guppies, and her special Lunch Bunch.
She was predeceased by her husband, Roy Marvin Philp, Sr., and her sister, Jane Shepherd Williamson.
She is survived by her sister, Dr. Marjorie Shepherd Turner and husband, Merle of Sisters, Oregon; and by brother-in-law, Mr. Moody Williamson, sister-in-law, Mrs. Joseph Pierce Philp, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. James Edward Philp, all of Beaumont; by her children, Jane Philp Moreland and husband Jon Marvin Moreland, Jr. of Houston Roy Marvin Philp, Jr. and wife Susan Phillips Philp, and Catherine Philp Holtzclaw and husband Gordon Thomas Holtzclaw, Jr. of Beaumont; by her grandchildren, Jon Marvin Moreland, III and wife Margaret of Houston, Robert Edward Moreland and wife Inma of Los Angeles, CA, Mary Louise Prendergast and husband Mark of Houston, Roy Marvin Philp, III, and William Bradford Philp of Beaumont, Susan Philp Ormand and husband Kevin of Dallas, Thomas Alan Dyke, II and wife Angela of Austin, and Will Rob Dyke of Elgin; great grandchildren, Robert Leighton Moreland, Ana Louise Moreland, and James Jon Moreland, Shannon Michelle Dyke, Allison Lee Ormand, and Henry Mark Prendergast; and by many treasured cousins, nieces, nephews, special friends Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cole, and loyal helper Irene Fontenot, Jean Sanders, and Margie Farley.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2004 at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Eldon Reed and Dr. Frank Alegria officiating followed by burial in Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons. A gathering of family and friends will begin 12:00 noon and last until time of service Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
