Phyllis Jean Newby

Newby, Phyllis Jean (Enegren) Christ follower, cherished wife, adored mother and sister, beloved Grammy and precious friend to so many, passed peacefully into eternal glory on April 7, 2016, surrounded by her loving family here on earth and in heaven. Born in Wichita on October 17, 1936, to Paul Enegren and Vivian (Kuhns) Enegren Wilson, Phyllis grew up nurtured in the love and truth of Jesus Christ and lived out that love and truth every day of her life. She attended Wichita North High and West High Schools. Following graduation, she married her sweetheart and lifetime friend, Waller Jerome Newby, and for 59 years, they built a close and loving family. When Waller went home to heaven in 2012, her heart broke, and it was her faith in Christ that enabled her to live out her life mission bringing glory to God through her love for others and her uncanny ability to make everything beautiful even when the loss of her best friend was followed with her cancer diagnosis. Above all else, Phyllis safeguarded and tended to the well-being of her family and home that defined her. Her home exuded extraordinary visual and sensual beauty, always immaculately ordered, a haven of rest and peace, exuding Christ's love. Physically beautiful and ever stylish, Phyllis belied the strength and intelligence that lay beneath her soothing voice and elegant manner. Focused, organized, and self-disciplined, she completed one successful project after another and always on schedule. She taught upholstery classes in West Wichita community for 50 years, was a strong influence in the establishment of the Wichita Ice Center, and for more than 30 years, taught the Christian Home class, mentoring hundreds of young women. She and Waller also mentored hundreds of young couples through Bible studies in their home. Long before there was a DIY channel, Phyllis was a DIY expert. Need a tape measure? A wrench? No problem. Phyllis would have one with her. Her son-in-law, John Anderson, recalled how she once phoned him for advice on fixing her yard sprinkler system. She then taught herself so well that by the next summer he was calling her for advice. The generosity of her spirit led her to help her family and friends with home improvement or decorating dilemmas. Especially dear to family members was what they lovingly came to refer to as 'Phyllis' bag of asymmetrical tricks'. Through her life, she held those she loved close and blessed all she met with her calm reassuring manner and uncommon patience. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Waller; her parents, Paul Enegren and Vivian Wilson; and her brother, John Wilson. She is survived by her children, Dr. Randy Newby (Marybeth), Kim Newby, Kelly Anderson (John), Julie Newby, all of Wichita, and Dr. Cory Sise (Matt) of Hawthorn Woods, IL; brothers, Phillip Enegren (Linda) of Wichita, Dennis Enegren (Barbara) of Huntsville, AL and Gus Enegren of Las Vegas, NV; stepmother, June Enegren of Wichita; grandchildren, Cortney Woodruff (Justin), Sarah Dugan (Brent), Dylan Newby (Chelsea), Laurel Anderson, Madison Anderson and Drew Anderson, all of Wichita, Dr. Cameron Ledford (Emily) of Fairway, KS, Ryan Newby of Nashville, TN, Henry Sise and Abbie Sise of Hawthorn Woods, IL; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with Starkey, Inc., 4500 W. Maple, Wichita, KS 67209 and His Helping Hands, 1441 E. 37th St. N., Wichita, KS 67219. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Central Christian Church, 2900 N. Rock Road. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Online tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com