Mary Lue Phillips, 88, who co-founded United Mailing of Huntsville with her late husband, died Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Huntsville Hospital Hospice at Redstone.
She and Dick started their company from a third-floor apartment and grew it into a successful bulk mailing company for more than 40 years. In both business and life, it was rare to see one without the other.
She was an incredibly active, engaging and creative force of nature; she was a long-time member of Soroptimist Club, Stamping Up and Women on Fire, of which she was Member #00001.
She loved cooking, crafts, playing cards and encouraging others. She and Dick were members at Living Word (Endeavor) Church. When she moved to Merrill Gardens, she enjoyed the inspiring in-house services of Pastor John M. Ryberg and Pastor Jake Smith.
She previously supported her husband when he was in the cemetery business for 10 years. Earlier in their career, they were Amway distributors and learned many wonderful life lessons. Her favorite, most rewarding job, however, was early in her career when she worked in a nursing home.
After Dick’s sudden death in 2004, Mary Lue continued to run United Mailing with her daughter Susan Henson who operates the company today.
Born April 9, 1934 in Bryan, Ohio, she was the daughter of Gale and Ilo Walker. Her father owned the first television-radio store in Bryan and she loved telling of so many people crowding into their living room nightly to view television for the first time that their carpet wore out.
Of all her many accomplishments, her proudest achievement were her five children who were born within six-and-half years of each other.
She is survived by daughters; Debbie Phillips, Lori Phillips Gagnon, Susan (Joe) Henson and son; Scott (Dianne) Phillips, grandchildren; Jennifer (Joe) Gregg, Ryan (Sarah) Ausley, Ashley Phillips, Jordan (Michael) Stoppes, Christian and Tyler Phillips, great-granddaughters; Kinsley Ausley andAvery Gregg, sister-in-law; Carol Walker, many beloved nieces, nephews; and dear friends including many at Merrill Gardens where she lived the past six years where she enjoyed her life and many activities.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Tom and Jack Walker; her son Steve and daughter-in-law Gaby Phillips; sons-in-law Morris Ausley, Tom Gagnon and Rob Berkley.
Her family will receive visitors from 5-7pm Monday, July 25 at Berryhill Funeral Home, 2305 N. Memorial Parkway in Huntsville.
She will be interred next to her husband at Huntsville Memory Gardens in a private family ceremony on Tuesday, July 26.
She preferred any gifts in her memory to The Table Ministry, PO Box 2318, Madison, AL 35758.
