Cover photo for Elsie Schlaeger's Obituary
Elsie Schlaeger Profile Photo
1922 Elsie 2021

Elsie Schlaeger

December 23, 1922 — November 15, 2021

Elsie Fike Schlaeger, 98, formerly of Spartanburg, SC, died Monday, November 15, 2021 in Greensboro, NC at Carolina Estates.

The only daughter of Dock and Mamie Spivey Boone, Elsie was born in Jackson, NC on December 23, 1922. She attended Greensboro College and graduated from Elon College where she earned a degree in music.

She married Dr. James Wyatt Phillips and the family moved to Spartanburg in 1954. Volunteering at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind led Elsie to earn a degree in deaf education at Converse College. She taught 30 years at the School for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg.

In 1964, she married Russell Fike. They were married 20 years, until his death in 1984. In 1987, she married Bud Schlaeger, who passed away in 2005.

Known for her optimism and vivaciousness, Elsie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir for over 30 years. She was a skilled bridge player and an avid traveler who visited Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Elsie is survived by her two children, Sandra “Sissy” Phillips Burr (Allen) of Greensboro, NC, and Mamie Fike Mills (Brian) of Athens, GA; four grandchildren, Shannon Phillips Jones, Shelley Phillips Grippi, Ashleigh Diane Burr, and Jason Allen Burr, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Kristen, Chloe, Walker, Chance, Cora, Liam and Iva; two great-great-grandchildren, Isla and Kallie.

She was predeceased by her son James Wyatt Phillips, Jr. and two brothers, William Thomas Boone and Jimmy Wood Boone.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 23, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, conducted by The Rev. Joanne Hull. Visitation will follow in the church parlor. Burial will be at a later date.

No flowers please, memorials may be made in Elsie’s honor, to the Shepherd’s Center, 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elsie Schlaeger, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

First Presbyterian Church (Spartanburg, SC)

SC

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation to follow

First Presbyterian Church Parlor

393 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29302

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 3

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree