Mary Phyllis Pilkerton, 88, of Mechanicsville, MD, passed away on February 16, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. Born on February 24, 1935 in Clements, MD, she was the youngest child of the late Mattingly Gibbons Johnson and Catherine Elizabeth (Drury) Johnson.

Phyllis graduated from St. Mary's Academy in June 1953 and married William Archie Pilkerton, Jr. on September 26, 1953; they just recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with close family and friends.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Archie, two children, Dale Pilkerton, Sr. of Hollywood, MD and Denise Finch (Eddie) of Mechanicsville, MD, her daughter-in-law, Debbie Pilkerton of Hollywood, MD, six grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Ricky Pilkerton, who passed in August 2023.

Phyllis worked at Mechanicsville Elementary School as a teacher's aide for five years, as well as Southern Maryland Oil for 28 years. She enjoyed vacations with family and friends, playing bingo, going on bus trips to Dover or Harrington, playing Pitch and LRC, baking cakes, and making rosaries. Phyllis loved watching the Orioles and Ravens on TV, and took great pleasure in watching her children and grandchildren's sporting events, recitals, and competitions.

Phyllis belonged to the Ladies' Sodality at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Morganza, MD. She loved angels and surrounded herself with them, and her family is comforted to know that they now have one in Phyllis. She will be in out hearts forever and missed by all that knew her kind, caring spirit.

The family will receive friends on February 27, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD with Father Drew Royals officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Dale Pilkerton, Jr., Timmy Pilkerton, Randy Pilkerton, Kevin Pilkerton, Eddie Finch, Jr., and Steven Kiley. Honorary pallbearers will be Kelly, Kiley, and Rachel Pilkerton, her great grandchildren, and her daily caregivers, all of whom have truly become family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.