Grace Oleta Phillips "Gracie"

Phillips, Grace Oleta Poteet 07/11/1921 ~ 01/17/2013 OCEANSIDE -- Gracie Phillips, 91, passed away peacefully Thursday, with family at her side. Grace was born in the Poteet family farmhouse near Rotan, Texas on July 11, 1921. One of 13 brothers and sisters, she grew up valuing faith, family, and hard work on the west Texas farm. She met William Roy Phillips in 1940 in Rotan, and they were soon married and started a life together that lasted 65 years. World War II called, and Gracie and Roy headed west to California, living in National City during Roy's naval service. Gracie also served her country proudly during the war, with aircraft assembly at Solar Aircraft in San Diego. In 1946, with two young sons, Ron and Gary, they settled in Oceanside with their young family. In 1951, they moved to the family home on Fire Mountain Drive in Oceanside. In the following years, Gracie helped with Roy's auto parts business, raised a family, and was involved with many youth and community activities. She loved being a part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Oceanside due to Roy's love of the ocean and boating. Daughter Suzy was added to the family and Gracie continued and expanded her interests serving as a Campfire Girl leader, founded the Oceanside-Carlsbad Sing-Out-USA, Up With People musical group for teens, and using her natural artistic talent, learned the florist business, became a wedding planner and consultant, later opened Gracie Phillips Flower Cottage in Carlsbad; all while being a great mother and later an amazing grandmother. Gracie was friends with many in the community, through her weddings and also involvement with the Mission San Luis Rey, where she served for years on the Heritage Ball Committee. One of her favorite activities in later years was decorating her home for Christmas. She shared her love of Christmas with many through the years at her home, where all enjoyed her artistic creations with everything from an Elvis Presley tree to a Patriotic tree. She also loved Country music, Elvis, and traveling to Nashville and Memphis with her children and grandchildren. Gracie was a true original, and she will be remembered for her spirit and enthusiasm, her commitment to family and to her community, and zest for life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy in 2005; and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by one sister, Eunice of Nevada; sons, Ron Phillips (Selia) of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Gary Phillips (Debbie) of Oceanside; daughter, Suzy Duewel (John) of Carlsbad; and grandchildren, Scott McNeill (Denise), Stefanie Grace Solis (Paul), Brody Phillips (Saori), Ryan Phillips, and Bret and Mike Letourneau; and eight great-grandchildren, Joshua, Caleb, Jordan, and Abigail McNeill, and Madison Grace, Emily and Katelyn Solis, and Kent Nakai; and many nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday, January 25, at North Coast Church, 2405 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, with a memorial service to be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, January 26, at North Coast Church.