Teressa Phillips McLean

Teressa Phillips McLean, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, of Castle Hayne, North Carolina, passed away on September 25th, 2023, at the age of 61. She was born Teressa Lynn Phillips in Wadesboro, North Carolina on October 16, 1961, to Barbara Jane and Fred Donald Phillips.

She loved her family, finding great deals, putting a smile on someone else’s face, and making spaces beautiful. Blessed with the gift of gab, Teressa never met a stranger, and made fast friends with those who entered her orbit. This gift helped her excel in sales, from real estate to water conditioners, and later in Home Interiors. She had an eye for fashion, style, and interior decorating, and loved transforming a space. She could walk into a Goodwill store or a yard sale and find he most extraordinary hidden gems, and further use her talent to display them in ways that would surprise even seasoned professional decorators. Like her mother, Teressa loved to entertain, particularly around the holidays, often hosting parties where she strove to bring people together. She never missed an opportunity to get herself and her home dressed to the nines for the festivities and made it her business to make everyone, regardless of their status or relation, feel welcome and included. She especially loved seeing smiles on her guests’ faces, young or old, and knowing that she had a hand in putting them there. Recently, she had begun work on her home so that she could again entertain guests and family, and this project gave her immense joy over the last few months of her life as she looked forward to its completion.

Teressa is survived by her daughter, Courtney Humphreys (and husband Alan) of Castle Hayne, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Chase and Harper Humphreys; father, Fred Donald Phillips (and wife Mary Lee); stepfather, Raymond Earl Edwards; brothers, Fred Donald “Donnie” Phillips, Jr (and wife Nancy) and Terry Dale Phillips (and wife Dawn); numerous stepsiblings, nieces, nephews, and others she loved as dearly as any familial relations. She is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Jane Edwards; and grandparents.

We will celebrate Teressa’s life and memory with a memorial service at the 41st Street Wilmington Chapel of Wilmington Funeral and Cremation on Saturday, October 7 th at 2 p.m. This will not be a formal event, but Teressa did so enjoy an occasion to get dressed up for, so please feel free to do so in her honor. All who knew her are welcome to attend.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation toward final expenses. If you are led to send flowers, please consider something that her loved ones could plant in her memory.

Share memories and condolences by visiting the “Tribute Wall”.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S.41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099