Inger Phillips

Inger Phillips, 99, was a long-time resident of Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, MS. She died in her sleep on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Inger was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 12, 1924. She was an accomplished classical pianist and won a country-wide competition at age 10. In her teens, she performed in kayak demonstrations in which they would overturn their kayaks, swim underwater to another kayak, and then flip up. She was multi-lingual and after WWII ended, got a job with the American army in Germany translating German documents into English. While in Germany she met Lieutenant Walter Phillips, whom she later married in Mississippi. Walter was a politician (four-term state representative) and Inger was a hostess on many occasions involving political acquaintances. She was a reliable supporter of her children’s many school activities. For 30 years she provided a property tax payment service for non-locals. She also worked at Merchants Insurance Agency, Saint Stanislaus College, Diamondhead Corp., Saint Augustine Seminary, and Hancock Bank. She enjoyed making pottery, knitting, and watching Jeopardy. She particularly enjoyed the company and help of her friend Anja Tiller.

Inger was preceded in death by her parents, Uhno and Ingeborg Viero, by her children Carey Phillips, Carolyn Stechmann, and Cort Phillips, and by her granddaughter Erin Stechmann. She is survived by her children Lars Phillips, Lisbet Phillips, Terry Phillips, and Michael Phillips, by her grandchildren Lisa Donald, Bradley Phillips, Tracy Meyer, Alissa Stechmann, Ryan Stechmann, Emily Corring, Brandy Moran, and Alex Phillips, and by nine great-grandchildren.

A graveside service honoring her life will be held at the Gulf Coast Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.