Elizabeth Anne Mahaffey Phillips Mcinnes

Elizabeth Anne “Libby” Mahaffey Phillips McInnes, 92, went home to her Lord and Savior peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. She was born on January 30, 1932 in Lancaster, South Carolina to the late James Wylie and Dora Roberts Mahaffey. Libby, a member of Lancaster High School’s Class of 1950 was voted Most Outstanding and Wittiest. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina in 1954. While at USC she served as President of Chi Omega, was listed as one of ten Outstanding Seniors and was a recipient of the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award which recognizes one male and female senior with “such characteristics of heart, mind and conduct as evidences a spirit of love and helpfulness to other men and women.” In 1954, she married David C. Phillips during a candle lit, Christmas day ceremony. Upon graduating she taught in Richland County Schools before starting her family and then taught Adult Education at Fort Jackson. After moving to Florence in 1960, she taught with Florence District One at Royal and Briggs Schools before opening Handy Rentals with Dave. She re-entered the classroom in 1980 and for over 20 years taught every grade in elementary education except kindergarten and for the last decade was the “Science Lady” at McLaurin Elementary introducing all grades to the joys of science. She won several grants for her science programs and was Teacher of the Year for McLaurin Elementary School. While teaching full time she earned her Master’s in Education at Francis Marion College in 1991. All Saint’s Anglican Church was her spiritual home for over 60 years where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Lay Reader and spearheaded many groups within the church. She was an active participant in Cursillo and served on Cursillo Teams for many years and was a member of the Daughters of the King. She was always welcoming to new members and lent a hand to anyone that needed it. Libby was an active member of the Florence community and was a sustaining member of the Florence Junior League. Libby was pre-deceased by her husband of 69 years, David C. Phillips and her husband John Alexander McInnes, Jr., her parents and siblings Sidney (Maisie), Paul (Leila), Max, Ralph, and John (Faustina) Mahaffey, sisters Sybil Payne (Eugene) and Grace (Olin) Monts. Libby is survived by her sisters-in-law Clovis Steel of Lancaster, SC and Judy Phillips of Jacksonville, FL, her loving children Greg Phillips and Lisa Carrier, both of Florence, Cindy Gibson (Matt) of Midland, NC, Alison Nichols (Russ) of Roanoke, VA, and her step-children Laura “Sissy” McInnes Chambliss (Jimmy) of Atlanta, GA, and John A. McInnes, III (Sandy) of Florence along with 6 grand-children, 5 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at All Saint’s Anglican Church on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00am with a reception following and interment at Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Saint’s Anglican Church, 1425 Cherokee Road, Florence, SC 29501. The service will be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw6k-5mhqbw