Beatrice June (Phillips) Brittingham
June 22, 1928 — June 14, 2015
Beatrice June Phillips Brittingham, 86, of Cambridge passed away on June 14, 2015 after 4-1/2 years at Signature Health Care Mallard Bay. She was born June 22, 1928 on Hoopers Island and was a daughter of Carlton (Captain Smokey) and Rona Tolley Phillips. She was one of 8 graduates of Hoopers Island High School in 1945. On April 18, 1946, she married Walter M. Brittingham, Jr, who passed away April 16, 1985.
Ms. Beatrice, as she was known on the island, was appointed the first Republican Post Mistress in 1950 in Fishing Creek and held that office for 33 years until her retirement in 1983; diligently working to help the citizens of the island with whatever their postal needs would have been, as well as assisting those who were unable to read or write.
After moving to Cambridge, the highlight of her retirement was traveling. Her most enjoyable trip was to Hawaii, along with taking many bus trips with Tom and Clara Dean. Ms. Beatrice had many lunches with the girls called “The Lunch Bunch” and the Republican Womens group. She was an avid reader, loved to crochet and as a young mother, making her girls clothes.
Being a life member of Hosier Memorial United Methodist Church on Hoopers Island, she served in several offices and the WSCS. Ms. Beatrice volunteered for the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company and the Dorchester Tourism Office.
In her marriage of 39 years, Mrs. Brittingham is survived by three children Beatrice “Beatty” Hubbard and husband Dan, Carol Ann Willey and husband Steve and Wayne Brittingham and wife Sheila; six grandchildren Ryan Hubbard, Robin Hubbard Mackert (Carlton), Chris Willey (Jennifer), Eric Willey (Christine), Tiffany Brittingham Hance (Shawn) and Carly Brittingham (Jennifer); seven great grandchildren Cole Willey, Lauren Hubbard, Logan Hubbard, Dalaney Mackert, Seth Mackert, Baileigh Brittingham and Brayden Brittingham; 3 sisters-in-law Barbara Phillips, Ida Creighton, Lily Harmon; brother in law Jesse Brittingham, nieces, nephews and the wonderful nurses and staff of Mallard Bay for their care and companionship to Ms. Bea.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two brothers Lloyd (Mike) Phillips and Manford Phillips, two sisters Berlia Gunter and Norma Murrell and a great granddaughter Abbie Mackert.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Ryan Hubbard, Robin Mackert, Chris Willey, Eric Willey, Tiffany Hance and Carly Brittingham.
A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2015 at Thomas Funeral Home P.A. with Rev. William Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. and an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hosier Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Priscilla McGlaughlin, P. O. Box 41, Fishing Creek, MD 21634 or Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company, P. O. Box 125, Fishing Creek, MD 21634. Arrangements are in the care of Thomas Funeral Home P.A.