Dossie Dell Phillips
10/29/1936 - 6/1/2014
Dossie Dell St. Clair Phillips passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 1, 2014.
Dell was born on October 29, 1936 to Charlie and Addie St. Clair in Redland, Texas. From an early age, Dell was a lover of all things academic, and she loved art, music, sports, and especially, reading. She was the epitome of a life-long learner and reading and learning were her favorite activities. She played the piano beautifully and enjoyed art throughout her life. She played volleyball and basketball during school and continued to love sports for many years afterward. She graduated from Redland High School and went on to receive her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, both with honors, from Stephen F. Austin State University. She majored in education and minored in art, music and PE.
In September of 1954 Dell married James W. Phillips and they quickly settled in Freeport, where they both remained until their deaths. Dell began her teaching career in BISD in 1955 where she taught at Jane Long Elementary and Velasco Elementary for 42 years. She loved teaching and often told her family she wished she could have taught forever. She touched the lives of many students and still today, many remember her as their "favorite" teacher.
Dell loved her family and devoted her life to making things better for them. Her favorite times were spent with her children and grandchildren. Although she loved the piney woods of East Texas, she was devoted to the city of Freeport and remained a loyal resident until her death. She loved cooking for others and friends and acquaintances have fond memories of her famous hot-water cornbread. Besides reading and enjoying time with her family, Dell loved her backyard and was always amazed at the beauty of her wildflower garden and could hardly wait for spring so she could till up the ground to plant her vegetables.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters, and her husband of 55 years, James W. Phillips.
Dell is survived by her children, Tracie Leigh Phillips of Freeport, Amy Claire Phillips of Freeport and James Wesley Phillips Jr. and his fiancé Mary Parsons of Freeport; four grandsons, Colton Wyatt Phillips of Freeport, Clinton Michael Truitt and wife Banu of Spring, Texas; Christopher Lee Truitt of Georgetown, Texas and Therron Joseph King of Freeport, Texas; one granddaughter, Addie McKenzie Phillips of Freeport; and three great-granddaughters, Reagan Leigh Truitt of Georgetown, Texas and Aylin and Alessa Truitt of Spring, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A Rosary for Dell will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 5 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Freeport with visitation preceding the Rosary from 6:00 until 7:00 pm, also at St Mary's. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Walker Cemetery in Redland, Texas on Saturday, June 7 at 11:00 am.
Pallbearers will be Michael Truitt, Chris Truitt, Colton Phillips, Therron King, Percy Norris and Brandon Garcia.
Final arrangements are in the care of the Turner Family at Freeport-Lakewood Funeral Homes. Inc. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.freeportlakewoodfuneralhomes.com.
Obituary Provided By:
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