Ina "Virginia" Phillips (Snapp), 81, passed away in Temple, Texas on Saturday July 20, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Virginia was born in Rotan, Texas on May 5, 1943 to Gwendelyn and Albert Choice Snapp Sr. She graduated from Rotan High School in 1961. Just one week later, she married the love of her life, Clyde Marcus Phillips, of Stamford, Texas. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in English from West Texas State University, all while working full time and raising her two children, Lisa and Robbie. In 1970, she began her teaching career at Stanton Junior High School in Hereford, Texas. In 1986, Virginia began teaching ELA at Ennis Junior High where she continued to teach for 34 years. She retired in 2020 after mentoring and spreading her wealth of knowledge for 50 years. Although she retired, she continued working 2 days a week at EJHS  through April 2024.

Virginia loved teaching, but she loved being a Gammie more than anything. Not only was she a Gammie to her three granddaughters, but also to so many students and colleagues over the years. She was always there for her granddaughters and loved them dearly. Anyone that knew her knew that she could most often be found outside, trimming her rose bushes, working in her garden, and spraying weeds. Virginia never met a stranger in her life and found joy in the simplest things: a good conversation, Sunday dinner with family, and relight birthday candles. She dearly missed her husband of 61 years for the past year and a half of her life. She was a perfect example of what it meant to serve those we love.

Virginia is survived by her daughter Lisa and husband Gedra, and son Robbie. She has three granddaughters: Madison and husband Aaron, Ariel and husband Tyler, and Autumn. She is also survived by 2 sisters and 1 brother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus, and parents.

A joyful celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the J. E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Ennis, Texas with Rev. James Patterson officiating.

Feel free to make donations to any organization in her memory.

Submitted by family