Phyllis Ann Barnard Chase

Phyllis Ann Barnard Chase passed peacefully unto our Lord on Wednesday evening, the 26th of August, 2015, with her family and friends by her side. Phyllis was born in Houston on the 4th of August, 1940, as the eldest child of the late Philip Dickinson and Helen Donovan Barnard. She is survived by her son, A. Donald Chase, Jr., his wife Kimberly and her three beloved grandchildren, Olivia Donovan Chase, Andrew Samuel Chase and Gwyneth Ann Chase, all of Wayne, Pa.; her brother Philip Donovan Barnard of Houston; and her many cherished nieces and nephews, all of whom "Aunt Phyllis" considered her own children. She was preceded in death by her youngest brother, the late Richard Chapin Barnard.

A proud native Houstonian, Phyllis attended Lamar High School and remained a faithful Lamar "Redskin" throughout her life. Prior to her senior year at Lamar, Phyllis travelled with her Girl Scout troop to Europe to participate in international Girl Guide/Girl Scout meetings and celebrations. She often reflected on the trip, its lasting impressions and friendships, and was proud of how the trip helped paved the way for diverse travel programs available to Girl Scouts today.

She attended the University of Texas to begin her studies in education and joined the Chi Omega Fraternity, remaining an active member throughout her years in Austin and as an alumna. In 1964, Phyllis graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, beginning her lifelong passion for teaching children.

Phyllis taught in Houston and Spring Branch area schools for over 40 years, beginning her career at Memorial Junior High. Later, she moved on to teach 5th and 6th grade at St. Francis Episcopal Day School and ultimately retired from Spring Branch Middle School in 2008. Her passion for reading, language arts and history propelled her career and influenced countless students. In her retirement, despite her physical disabilities, she continued to volunteer as a tutor and mentor to young people of all backgrounds. She remained constantly invigorated by the stories, challenges and blessings found in the relationships with her students, both in and out of the classroom.

Throughout her life, Phyllis was highly engaged as a patron of the arts in the Houston area as a supporter of the Houston Grand Opera, the Alley Theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts. She thrived on her volunteer activities as a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Southwest United Methodist Church, Lakewood Church, the Strake Jesuit Mother's Club, the St. Francis Episcopal Day School Board of Directors, and other educational, religious and civic organizations.

Phyllis was also a proud and passionate supporter of the communities where she lived across Houston. From her childhood home in Southgate, to the Briargrove Park neighborhood where she lived for 35 years, to her retirement at Brookdale Memorial City where she served on the new resident welcoming committee and as a resident board member, she remained a bright and shining face in the neighborhood.

Phyllis was propelled through her life by her Faith in God and her ever-present resilience. Her belief in and support of her family and friends was only matched by her unwavering love for them. "PA", as she was known to many, will be remembered as a genuine, faithful and caring friend and a beacon of enthusiasm to those whom she touched. We will miss you Gran.

Friends are cordially invited to celebrate her life with the family during a visitation from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 1st of September, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service will be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 2nd of September, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. The interment will follow, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Andrew Samuel Chase, Colin Barnard, Richard C. Barnard, II, Ryan Barnard, Bryant Hinton and Joseph P. McAndrew.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Donor Services Department, 5120 Woodway Dr., Suite 6000, Houston, Texas 77056 or online at www.bushhoustonliteracy.org