Phyllis Ann Sears

1927 - 2014

Phyllis Ann Sears

Ivins, UT

Phyllis Ann Sears, 86, passed away March 20, 2014 in Ivins, UT. She was born December 3, 1927, in Columbia, Missouri, the fourth child of Leitha and Austin Turley Barnes.

From the beginning Phyllis was bright and precocious, always asking "why" to what she did not understand. During the "Great Depression" Phyllis travelled west with her family, finally settling first in Los Angeles, then in Berkeley, California, where Phyllis graduated from Berkeley High, then on to University of California, graduating in 1950. She worked as an industrial engineer at Boeing, in Seattle and then to San Francisco, where she met her husband to be, Robert Sears, while skiing in the Sierras. They married April 30, 1955 in San Francisco after Robert returned from the Korean War. Sons, Stephen and Jeffrey, were born in Germany and Garth in Georgia, USA. Stephen preceded Phyllis in death from heart attack. Phyllis is survived by Robert, Jeffrey and Garth.

Between family moves, Phyllis taught math in schools whenever there was opportunity. She was dedicated to helping her students, and others succeed and excel. When Bob retired Phyllis started, ran, then franchised, HABITS FOR LIFE, a business focused on helping people improve their lives by modifying their behaviors. Throughout her life Phyllis was intent on helping others. She learned how to introduce and use laws that benefitted children and then cities, towns and the nation. Because of her skills and tenacity, when faced with a challenge of correcting situations that impacted people negatively, she was recruited to serve on her city council and asked to serve on her state legislature. Even while ill and near death, she continued to serve her community in efforts to ensure enforcement of laws and strengthening of community. She was driven by her early learning to never-ever give up. Her dedication in applying that lesson to projects that helped others made her a uniquely interesting and successful individual.

Those of us who knew Phyllis, aka "Spunky Lady," or were simply positively affected by her community activities, will miss her deeply. May God bless and keep you in His loving arms. Farewell from this Earth my dearest wife. Until we meet again on the other side, I rejoice that you are alive today with our Lord in Heaven. Bob

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Jeffrey and Garth daughter-in-law, Cheryl and grandson John.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 3:00p.m., at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 611 N. 2450 E., St. George, UT, a few blocks south of Deseret Industries. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service, all friends are invited. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be announced.

Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.serenitystg.com Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, St. George, UT 986-2085.