Kathleen Collins Phifer

TUSCALOOSA Kathleen Collins Phifer, age 91, of Tuscaloosa, passed away Aug. 1, 2006 at LaRocca Nursing Home. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Pastor Carl Wells officiating and Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.Kathleen Phifer was preceded in death by her husband, William Gough Phifer, Colonel USAF (retired), her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest W. Collins, and her brother, Ernest "Rainy" W. Collins, Jr. of Tuscaloosa.She is survived by her son, William David Phifer, Sr. and his wife, Linda; three grandchildren, Leigh Jane Phifer of Pasadena, California, Sarah Phifer Tuggle of Anchorage, Alaska, and William David Phifer, Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska. Kathleen is also survived by her brother-in-law, Mr. Joe Phifer and his wife, Genie, of Tuscaloosa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.Kathleen was born in Gallion, Alabama on September 28, 1914. She moved to Tuscaloosa at the age of ten where she completed her education, graduating from the University of Alabama with a Bachelors degree in Education. She belonged to Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Mrs. Phifer received her Masters degree from Hofstra College, Long Island, New York. She taught school for 31 years in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Wiesbaden, Germany, Long Island, New York, Gulfport, Mississippi, Anchorage, Alaska, and Riverside, California.Kathleen Phifer was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church. She also belonged to the DAR, Arts and Letters Club, Modern Culture Club, Estes Embroidery Circle, and Qui Vive Club.The family would like to thank Teresa Ragsdale for the loving care she provided to Kathleen Phifer for many years. The family would also like to thank LaRocca Nursing Home for the compassionate and professional care they provided.Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 721 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or your favorite charity.