Phyllis S. Olexy, age 73, was born in Baton Rouge, LA, to Marjorie Reames Shelton and Buford S. Shelton. Phyllis was raised by her mother and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Reames, until 1950, when Marjorie married James Wilton Robbins. Phyllis graduated from Istrouma High School in 1961 and Spencer Business College in 1962. Working with young ladies in GAs at Lanier Baptist Church showed her heart for missions. Eddie Olexy, Jr. and Phyllis’ first date was at Lanier Baptist Church sweetheart banquet on February 14, 1960.They were married on August 31, 1962, at Lanier Baptist Church and moved into married students housing at LSU. In 1965, they moved to Houston, TX, and then to Lunenberg, MA, when Ed went into the military advanced training. They were then sent to Panama Canal Zone for three years. Their oldest daughter, Jennifer, was born there and Phyllis worked as the church secretary for Balboa Baptist Church. After the military, they returned to LSU where Ed finished his degree and some graduate studies in 1972 and moved with a new job to Shreveport, LA. While there, they lost a little boy at birth, but six months later, the Lord blessed them with the adoption of their youngest daughter, Malinda. In 1976, they returned to Baton Rouge with a new job and in 1978, they built the first, purpose-built day care center in Baton Rouge. Phyllis was the director at The Stepping Stones until they closed in 2011. She was “Miss Phyllis” to the children, “Miss Aunt Phyllis” to her nieces and “Granny” to her granddaughters. She loved working with crafts and telling others about her love for Jesus. She loved her friends and family. She also enjoyed Bill Gaither music and traveling all over the world with the love of her life. Beginning in 2011, her battle with cancer curtailed most activities. Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Edward Olexy, Jr.; daughters, Jennifer Olexy Billings and husband, Ronnie Billings, Jr. and Malinda Bevin Olexy; two granddaughters, whom she loved spending time with, Abigail Ruth Davis Wales and husband, Tyler and Haley Carol Davis and other loving family members. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie Reames Robbins and James Wilton Robbins; father, Buford S. Shelton and grandparents, Louis and May Reames. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017, at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Visitation will resume on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Greenoaks Funeral Home, from 12:00pm until time of funeral service at 2:00pm. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Phyllis will be terribly missed by all that knew and loved her.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18