SHIRLEY JEAN DAVANAY PHILLIPS
1954-2017
Shirley Jean Davanay Phillips of Houston, passed away on Saturday, the 11th of November 2017, with her husband of 38 years and 5 children at her side. Shirley was born on the 2nd of May 1954, in Baytown, Texas to Audrey Watts Hudson and Richard Eugene Davanay. She fell in love with music and dance at an early age and performed in countless recitals, always in costumes hand made by her mother. She attended Ross Sterling High School, was a member of the Stars Drill Team and Meister Singers and graduated in 1972. Shirley attended Texas Christian University and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
She moved to Houston and taught music at San Jacinto Elementary in Baytown. In November of 1978, she filled in for a friend on a last minute blind date and “Shirley Jean of Baytown” met “Bobby Glenn of Tyler” and though she fell asleep half way through the date he talked her into a 2nd date and 6 weeks later they were engaged. They married on the 14th of July 1979, at the First Christian Church in Baytown and after the birth of their first child, Bob & Shirley moved to Tyler in 1981.
Shirley loved living in Tyler, starting wonderful friendships that would last the rest of her life. She was an active member of the Junior League, Willowbrook Country Club and Marvin United Methodist Church. At Marvin Shirley taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was youth group leader, often chaperoning trips and hosting the group at their home. In Tyler, Shirley and Bob had 4 more children and in November 1987, they moved to Houston.
She joined the Houston Junior League and for several years was a part of the Annual Christmas show. The family settled in Memorial and joined Chapelwood United Methodist Church joining the Chancel Choir and playing the piano for the Wesley Choir. She was a member of the Briar Club, Houston Racquet Club and Lakeside Country Club where she and Bob loved playing golf together, as long as she played better than he did.
In 2000, Bob and Shirley bought the 5K Ranch in Independence where the family spent most weekends and holidays. They spent their summers in Seaside, Vail and in 2003 they discovered what would become their 2nd home Carmel, California. She loved hosting friends and family in Carmel, playing golf, shopping, and wine trips but mainly sitting by the fire pit on the back deck watching the ocean and reporting back to her kids home the daily weather report. Shirley was truly at peace in Carmel.
Shirley cherished her friends from Baytown, Tyler, Carmel and Houston. She had an open door policy for everyone she met, family dinners and holidays often included friends that otherwise didn’t have somewhere to go. Shirley’s greatest joy was her role as “Mom” and “Gaga” to her five kids and five grandkids, though she “would’ve liked to have six” as she told us many many times. She adored Bob and loved the life they had together. We are so grateful that her last weekend they spent in Fort Worth where she got to see her TCU Horn Frogs stomp on Bob’s Texas Longhorns, she definitely got the last word on that one.
Shirley Girl, Shirlz, Aunt Shirley, Mom, Gaga…she was kind and generous, loved passionately and fiercely and we will miss her like crazy. But she is at peace and with her parents, her best friend Cathy, and in the arms of the Lord.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 38 years Bob Phillips, her 5 kids daughter Brittany Faulk and son-in-law Jordan, son Cameron Phillips and daughter-in-law Sarah, daughter Christian Bolden and son-in-law Charlie, son Courtland Phillips and daughter Mallory Phillips. And her 5 “babies” Bobby & Hallie Faulk, Audrey and Jack Phillips and Cooper Bolden. Also survived by her mother in law Ruth McGee Phillips, her dear friends Rosa and Marco Lazcano and her loyal dogs Gigi, Abby and Teddy. She was preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Gene Davanay and her father in law Judge Glenn Phillips.
The family wishes to thank the incredible men of Station 6 Houston Fire Department and the wonderful nurses and doctors at Houston Methodist Hospital Cardiovascular ICU Unit.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 15th of November, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 16th of November, in the sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston. Those serving as honorary pallbearers will be Myron Blalock, Forrest Smith, Tio Suman, David Crosswell, Scott Kittrell, Chris Boykins and Bruce Grossman. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the church.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward the Star of Hope Mission, P.O. Box 1505, Houston, TX 77251-1505; or to the charity of one’s choice.