Phyllis Jane "pj" Douglas

Phyllis Jane “pj” Douglas answered her final curtain call to be with her Lord and Savior on October 14, 2012 surrounded by family and friends following a four year battle with cancer. PJ was born January 31, 1936 in El Paso, TX, and moved with her family to Sugarloaf Lake in 1964. PJ was preceded in death by her parents Phil and Aubrey Hesler of Texas, sister Stella Ann Rosch, and nephew David Rosch of California. She is survived by her children, Asa Douglas and wife Catherine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sheridan Douglas and wife Jennifer of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, grandchildren Kylie Kirk-Douglas of Missouri and Genesis and Phoenix Chandler of Arkansas, her sister Marion Kirkpatrick, nephews Philip Candelaria and wife Iris, Stewart Candelaria and wife Sharon, and nieces Sointula Kirkpatrick-Poore and husband David, all of Canada, and Laura Teschler and husband Richard of Kansas. She graduated in 1958 from Texas Western University with honors earning her BA in Speech and Drama and minor in Education while serving in the Delta Delta Delta sorority. PJ was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Ft. Smith and taught elementary for 30 years with 26 of those years at Sutton and Woods Elementary Schools in Fort Smith, retiring in 2001. During her tenure she was active in the Classroom Teachers Association and National Education Association. Her dynamic personality, dramatic flair and enthusiasm for education had a life-long influence on many young lives and professional colleagues. PJ was part of numerous community groups and activities including the Red Stocking Review, Ft. Smith Little Theatre and Ft. Smith Community Children’s Theatre. Memorial service will be 3:00 PM Saturday, July 20, 2013 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Academy of Arts Program c/o UAFS Foundation, P.O. Box 3649, Ft. Smith, AR 72913-3649. Please add on the memo line of the gift: Academy of Arts / Phyllis Jane Douglas Memorial. The Phyllis Jane Douglas Trust will match these donations to ensure an appropriate and lasting tribute to PJ’s love of education and theatre.