Mary Jane Phillips

Mary Jane was a special lady.  She served her church and her Lord and Savior her entire life.

She was born, grew up, attended college, married and reared her children in North Carolina. She never dreamed she would leave the beautiful state.  Her relatives had always been North Carolinians.

That changed in 1977 when her husband, JD, who was a pilot, had an opportunity present itself to build a private jet aviation service in Dallas so the family left N.C. and moved to Texas. Jet East, Inc. was a private Lear Jet charter service JD built at Love Field.

They bought a home in the Prestonwood area and coincidentally their home was located near the new and growing Prestonwood Baptist Church. They affiliated immediately and Mary Jane’s relationship with PBC began.

The pastor needed a secretary and Mary Jane volunteered. I do mean “volunteered” because she spent two years as secretary and refused to accept a salary. She established protocol and set up committees to begin the work the new church needed.

After her time at PBC, J.D. needed her at Jet East. Mary Jane was the perfect person to manage the airline. It was a fun business flying celebrities, musicians, politicians and she always had a great story to tell!

Although Mary Jane had a full-time job, she never missed a service, a function or a committee meeting at PBC. She was a committed member and was counted on to host, chair or serve on any committee needed.

She established meaningful relationships with great friends and can now be called a true Texan. Her service continued while she had breast cancer followed by a stroke which left her limited for service but even though her body failed, her desire to serve did not. She loved to watch live streamed services from PBC.

Mary Jane was delighted to be a grandmother. John and Tammy had a little princess, Madison and a little prince, Conner. Time went by and Teresa and David adopted their children, Beckett and Piper. These children were the apple of her eye.

Mary Jane is survived by daughter Teresa, husband David and grandchildren Beckett (12) and Piper (10); son John D. Phillips, Jr., wife Tammy and grandchildren Madison (22) and Conner (18); sister Polly Thompson and her husband Sam.

Mary Jane finished her race and is celebrating her eternal victory in the waiting arms of her loving valentine, J.D., and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hers was a life full of rich blessings, service to others, and endless faith - a legacy reflected in the hearts of her many dear friends, loved ones and her most priceless treasures, her grandchildren.

She was a paradox of strength and vulnerability, glamor and humility, social graces and candid truths, but always in the spirit of humor and kindness. Always a southern lady but not afraid to tell it like it is.

She has left her frail body behind and is decorating her new mansion...and rejoicing with the King of Kings. We know he said, “well done good and faithful servant”.

There will be a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 W Park Blvd., Plano, Texas with Dr. Jack Graham officiating.

She will be laid to rest with her husband J.D. Phillips, Sr. at Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Mary Jane, you can make a gift to the Prestonwood Foundation for the Mary Jane Phillips Endowment via check or online giving at: https://prestonwood.org/give

and select Foundation on the drop-down menu.

These donations will provide support to three of Mary Jane's favorite ministries: Prestonwood Pregnancy Center, PCA Sponsor a Lion program, and Prestonwood Children's Ministry.