Ellen Simpson Phillips

Ellen “Jean” Simpson Phillips, 96, passed away on April 30, 2026, after several years of declining health. Mrs. Phillips was born on August 31, 1929, in Winston-Salem to the late Mark B. and Lillie Bunn Simpson.

Mrs. Phillips graduated from James A. Gray High School in 1947. She was the owner/operator of the Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios in the Winston-Salem area for 27 years. She and her high school friend, Dora Hege, opened the first Merle Norman Studio in this area in 1957. It was located on the 4th floor of the old Nissan Building in downtown Winston-Salem. Female business owners were somewhat rare in those days, but Jean and Dora believed in the Merle Norman line of products and launched their business.

It proved to be a good decision. Due to poor health, Dora eventually sold her half of the business to Jean. Over the years, Jean operated a shop in the old bus station on Cherry Street; one in the lower level of Thruway Shopping Center and, finally, a shop at Hanes Mall, which is where the shop was located when she sold the business in 1985. Jean then worked part time at Dolls N Decor in Cloverdale Shopping Center, which suited her well because she was an avid doll collector.

Jean was an excellent, self-taught cook and enjoyed spending time in the kitchen. She often said that her husband, Richard, enjoyed eating and she enjoyed cooking, so that’s what made them such a good team. She prepared many Sunday dinners for her family.

Mrs. Phillips was a life-long member of Union Ridge United Methodist Church where she will be remembered for the beautiful beaded Chrismon ornaments she made to decorate the church’s Chrismon tree. She also coordinated the chicken pie making operations of the United Methodist Women’s group there, known as the “Holy Rollers.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in passing by her husband of 62 years, Richard D. Phillips; son, Richard D. “Dick” Phillips Jr.; two sisters, Hazel Frazier and Claudia Lunsford; brother, Mark B. Simpson, Jr.; and two infant sisters.

She is survived by her son Mike Phillips (Kathy) of Advance, NC; three grandchildren, Brock Phillips of Winston-Salem, NC; Shana Wright (Andrew) of Mt. Airy, NC and Lindsey Deitz (Dustin) of Hendersonville, NC; five great-grandchildren, Olivia and Camille Deitz; Brent Wright and Lily and Ethan Phillips; and her “adopted daughters”, Ellen Mickey Hodges, Diane Jones Magaraci and Ann Burgess Markland. She is also survived by two caregivers, Barbara Smith and Tammy Cruz, who loved and cared for her as if she was their own mother.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Union Ridge United Methodist Church, 3620 Old Lexington Road., Winston-Salem, NC 27107 with Rev. Eric Tang officiating. The family will receive guests for 30 minutes prior to the service. A private burial service will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Trellis Supportive Care and to the staff in the memory care unit of Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons for the care given to Mrs. Phillips.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family.