Nettie Shirley Phillips

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Shirley was born at home on July 2, 1929, in the small community of Toddville in Dorchester County, Maryland to Norman Swaine Phillips and Nettie Jane Meredith Phillips. She graduated from Crapo High School – Class of 1948. There were a total of 7 students in her graduating class – 2 boys and 5 girls. At that time the schools had 11 grades and the girls wore white dresses for graduation. Shirley belonged to the Methodist Church in Toddville.

After high school graduation, Shirley went to work at McCrory’s Five and Dime Store as a bookkeeper which opened in Cambridge in 1927. Through her life she had worked at various places including JC Penny, Leggetts, several banks and others, each time leaving her job to take care of her Mother who was in poor health. Shirley loved cats and had a special cat, Whiskers, for many years. She would always buy food and feed the stray cats around her house.

Her last job was at Parole & Probation in Cambridge which she loved but due to her own health issues had to retire. For the last three years, Shirley has resided at Heartfields in Easton, Maryland.

She is survived by her second cousin, Norma Gray Dobrowolski, Salisbury Maryland.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:00 at East New Market Cemetery, Route 16, East New Market, MD.