Phyllis Smith

Phyllis E. Smith, age 73, passed away peacefully at her home in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 with her beloved husband George by her side. Phyllis was preceded in death by her father James Phifer, her daughter Lori Crase Clemmons, and her brother Larry Phifer. Phyllis is survived by her husband George Smith of Houston, her mother, Josephine Phifer and her brother, Johnny Phifer both of Seaford, DE and her sister Linda (and Jeff) Ballance of Cornwall, England. Phyllis is also survived by three grandchildren, Dustin (and Ashley) Crase of Sulphur, LA, Michael Crase of Lafayette, LA, Katy Lynn Crase of Baton Rouge, LA, stepson Brian Smith of Portland, OR, four great grandchildren and two nieces.

Phyllis was a breast cancer survivor for almost five years before the cancer returned in 2013. She was born in Marshville, NC on August 17, 1941 and graduated from Marshville High School in 1959. Phyllis never lost her love of North Carolina. She kept in touch with Marshville through her subscription to the Marshville "Home News" weekly newspaper. Phyllis was always happy to see her old friends at Marshville High School reunions and was planning a return to Marshville in August to celebrate her 55th Marshville High School reunion but time and her cancer were not kind to her.

Phyllis was a resident of Houston and Clear Lake for the past forty years. She graduated from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, with summa cum laude honors, in 1983. Phyllis retired from Tauber Oil Co. in 2003 and enjoyed spending time with her husband George, traveling, attending the Alley Theatre, reading, visiting Clear Lake's best restaurants, laughing with friends, and just hanging out, almost always with beloved George by her side. Phyllis was a dedicated member of the Edgar A. Smith YMCA in Webster, TX.

Phyllis made the world a better place and she was generous with her help without needing to be asked. Her memory will live on forever among those who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, TX at 2 PM October 18, 2014. Phyllis' friends are encouraged to attend the services and share their memories of the life of a great friend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77053.