BERLIN — Polly Lee Phillips, age 89, died Monday, April 2, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of the late Lee Insley and Pauline White Insley Purnell. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, William P. “Bill” Phillips, Sr. and her daughter, Susan P. DeGroft and her husband George of Berlin. She was preceded in death by her sons, William P. Phillips, Jr. and L. Richard Phillips. 

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. David Phillips Smack, Christopher Cordrey Smack, Elizabeth Insley Smack Davis, George William DeGroft, III and Heather Arters; and her great grandchildren, Caleb P. Smack, Abigail P. Smack, Christopher C. Smack, II, Thomas H. Davis, V, Hannah A. Davis, George W. DeGroft, IV, Meghan Arters, Matthew Arters and James Arters. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Jane Purnell.

Phillips had worked for many years as a teacher and librarian with the Sussex County Board of Education. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Berlin, the Altar Guild, Levin Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Maryland Eastern Shore Chapter of the Colonia Dames, Sinepuxent Questers and the Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club. 

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday April 5 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3 Church Street, Berlin. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard. Rev. Michael Moyer will officiate. Donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3 Church St., Berlin, MD 21811. Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.