Margaret Atkins Phillips

Margaret Atkins (Miss Peg) Phillips

Peg Phillips died on July 26, 2025 with family in Chilhowie, VA. She was born Margaret Lou Atkins on July 6, 1934 in Wytheville, VA to Pauline (Polly) Groseclose Atkins and William Talmadge (Tam) Atkins, and married Henry Arthur Phillips (d. 1989), 1955.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by four children: Melanie Phillips Smith of Chilhowie Virginia (Doug Smith); Timothy Andrew Phillips of Littleton, N.C. (Joann Phillips); Stephen Mark Phillips of Pittsboro, N.C. (Mary Jo Stephenson), and Jonathan David Phillips of New Bern, N.C. (Lynn Roche Phillips). Four grandchildren: Nathan Scott Phillips (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Marshall Claire Phillips (Kannapolis, NC), Owen Stephenson Phillips (Carrboro, NC), Damien Matthew Phillips (Lexington, KY), and Henry Avery Smith (Chilhowie, VA & Las Vegas, NV). Two great-grandchildren: Caroline Harper and Andrew Scott Phillips (Myrtle Beach). She was preceded in death by her sister Jeanne Atkins Brindle and brother William (Bill) Talmadge Atkins, Jr.

Peg Phillips graduated from Wytheville High School in 1951 and Emory & Henry College in 1955. She enjoyed a long career as a children’s librarian in both public and school libraries in North Carolina and Virginia (most recently at Smyth County Public Library, Marion, VA). Due to Arthur Phillips’ career as a United Methodist minister in the North Carolina conference, she lived in various places in N.C. from 1955-1991, including Allensville, Shallotte, Raleigh, Carthage, Louisburg, Swansboro, and Burlington. She returned to Wytheville in 1991, where she was an active member and volunteer at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

She was known for her wonderful story times at the libraries and as a lively storyteller, often with her longtime assistant Beesly Bear. Both Miss Peg, as she was known to children, and Beesly are fondly remembered by generations of children in the region. After retirement, Miss Peg and Beesly continued service and storytelling for several churches, agencies, and programs in southwestern Virginia.

A private remembrance for family will be held, and a memorial will be established for Miss Peg in the Smyth-Bland Regional Library. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a tree, read a book or tell a story to a child, or buy some ice cream for someone you love.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Margaret Atkins “Miss Peg” Phillips is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.