Phyllis Rouse

GASTONIA - Phyllis Key Rouse passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at her residence in Gastonia with family by her side. Phyllis was born July 14, 1939, in Pine Level, NC, the daughter of the late Wilbert and Inez Woodard and sister of the late Sue Woodard. Phyllis resided in Gastonia where she raised a daughter, Cissy, and sons Scott and Jason with her late husband Francis Scott Key, Jr.

Phyllis will be remembered for a courageous spirit. She loved making a home for her family but with the unexpected passing of Scott in 1987, re-sumed a career at First United Insurance. Phyllis eventually took a leap of faith to pursue a life-long dream of owning and operating a Tea Room. In 1992, she started Chantilly's Tea Room where she shared her joy of cooking with friends and family at her side. Prior to retiring in 2007, Phyllis also worked as a Patient Representative at Gaston Memorial Hospital.

In 2002, Phyllis became a newlywed again when she married William S. (Bill) Rouse. Phyllis loved Bill and treasured the time they spent together, the trips they took, and the opportunity to cook for the combined families.
Seeing the joy that Bill brought to Phyllis was a special gift to her children. Phyllis loved being a grandmother and was known to the kids as Cha Cha and Phish. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Cissy Key Gomes and husband Mike, son, Jason Alexander Key; son, Francis Scott Key, III and wife, Debby; husband, William S. Rouse and her extended family: Mark Baker Rouse and wife Cindy, William Carlton Rouse and wife Lisa, and Robert Foster Rouse and wife Carrie; grandchildren : Catherine Key, Brandon and Colton Rouse, Kendall and Kristin Rouse, and Foster and Riley Rouse.

The family would especially like to thank the Blumenthal Cancer Center and the care she received from Dr. Robert W. Naumann, Deleslie Kiser and staff. The family would also like to recognize Gaston Hospice and the care provided by Pauline Zimmerman and Lisa Bradshaw.

Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Eddie Spencer and Dr. Jim Westmoreland at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 3rd at First ARP Church, 317 South Chester Street, Gastonia, NC 28052. The family will receive friends at McLean Funeral Directors, 700 South New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054, on Saturday, January 2nd from 6:00-8:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carolinas HealthCare Foundation-Wallace C. Nunley Endowment for Women's Health, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232 or to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054

Condolences may be sent online at www.mcleanfuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Phyllis Key Rouse family.