Phyllis Mary McMillan
4/1/1917 - 5/20/2012
Phyllis Leeder McMillan "MiMi", of Freeport, Texas, died peacefully at home with her family Sunday, May 20, 2012.
Phyllis was born to Grover and Florence Payne, April 1, 1917 in Jefferson City, Iowa. Her mother died in the 1918 flu epidemic and her father was unable to care for her and her two brothers. She was adopted and raised by Frank and Nellie Leeder who loved her dearly.
Phyllis graduated from Central High School in 1935 and soon after in 1940 she and her family moved to Freeport. She worked for Western Union in Freeport where she met and married Albert McMillan. In 1950 after they divorced she went to work for the Brazosport School Administration Office. She worked for the school district for over 40 years. She was a member of Retired Teachers Association and was an active volunteer as a "Pink Lady" at Brazosport Memorial Hospital. She loved knitting booties and caps for all the new born babies. She coordinated meals-on-wheels deliveries and served as a board member for the Brazosport Cares, as well as volunteered at Brazosport Medical Center in Freeport. She was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Freeport since 1940. She served on the vestry for many years and served as chairman on alter guild. Among her many duties while on the vestry she served as Sr. Warden. For many years she was in charge of the bake sale at our annual church bazaar. She loved her church family and doing things to help out at church whenever she was needed.
Phyllis enjoyed being with her family and friends. She loved her newspapers, working the crossword puzzles, and especially her M&M candies. When she wasn't doing crossword puzzles you would find her sewing, knitting, or crocheting. When a new baby was born they would most likely receive one of her beautiful crocheted baby blankets. The grandchildren and her daughter will always treasure the afghans she knitted lovingly for them years ago. Phyllis loved to travel. In the 1950s she and her daughter had a wonderful time on their cruise to Alaska. Over the years they traveled to all the states and Canada, too. Her favorite place to vacation was Estes Park, Colorado; she loved the mountains.
She was loved by everyone who knew her. Phyllis was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law and friend. She was always there for her family and friends and I don't think she knew how much she was going to be missed. She always put everyone's needs ahead of her own.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her father, Frank T. Leeder; mother, Nellie; brothers, Roy and Clifford Payne; and son-in-law, Larry Steiner.
She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Koenig and Bruce Whalen, of Freeport; grandchildren, Lisa Steiner, of Orange, Texas, Michael and wife, Lisa Koenig, of Harper, Texas; and two great-granddaughters, Shelby and Callie Koenig; nieces, Kathy Fister and husband, Don, and Susan McMillan; nephews, Ken Payne, Gray McMillan, and Bill McMillan, Glen and Sandra Steiner, of Orange, Texas, Terrell and Ashley Steiner, and their children, Ava and L. T.; and other relatives and friends. She also will be greatly missed by her constant companions' grand dogs Missie and Coco and also, Suki the cat.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Sue Chaney of Help, Inc. and others for their care and companionship. Also want to thank the nurses and therapists of Coastal Staff Relief, Della Stafford, Carmen Lara, Michelle Wilson, Cathy Johnson, and others for the loving care. The family would also like to thank Nanci Witt, Della Stafford, Jessica Shell, Marjorie Rich, Mary Hancock, Gwen Carter and the rest of the staff with Helping Hands and Hearts Hospice for their compassion and loving kindness. Also the family would like to thank their church family at St. Pauls for their loving kindness and caring.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Freeport Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2012, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Freeport with the Rev. Robert Dohle officiating.
Pallbearers are Michael Koenig, Bill McMillan, Kirk McMillan, Glen Steiner, Richard Barnes and M.J. Ardoin.
Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Koenig, Gary McMillan and Bill Demain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1307 W. Fifth Street, Freeport, Texas 77541 or plant a tree in her name.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and He whispered come to me. With tearful eyes I watched you, and saw you pass away. Although I loved you dearly, I couldn't make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke my heart to prove to me, He only takes the best. ~author unknown
She made this world a better place and now the Lord has a special angel.
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