Phyllis Garber

Phyllis Butts Garber, 92, of Morgan City, La., passed away peacefully Feb. 16, 2014, from causes incident to old age. Phyllis’ husband of 61 years, Eugene B. Garber Sr. preceded her death in October 2004. To that union were born two children: Pamela G. Vogel of Arvada, Colo., husband, Vince, and Eugene Bradley Garber Jr., M.D., of Tulsa, Okla., wife, Chris. Phyllis has four beautiful granddaughters; Joanna Roberts, Molly Hafey, Emmy Garber Baird, M.D., and Lauren Garber. Her step-grandchildren are Matt Vogel, Erica Vogel Pacheco, PhD., and Geoff Vogel. As of this date, four great-grandchildren have been born in the family; Ella Roberts, Fletcher Roberts, Henley Roberts, and Mary Louise Baird. Phyllis enjoyed her executive responsibility with the H & B Young Foundation. She was the vice president and a member of the board of directors. She had been a member of Entre Nous in Morgan City and The Junior League of Houston. She has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church for more than 65 years. In December 2013, Trinity honored Phyllis for her lifetime of church service. Phyllis was a WWII bride born in Spokane, Wash on September 15, 1921. Her life-long friend said that she had never seen two people fall in love faster. She grew to love the warm and friendly people of south Louisiana. Phyllis’ parents were both from Iowa. Each had moved to Spokane to seek their future in the Golden Empire. Charles Butts was a Spokane doctor. Grace Sebern was a school teacher. After marrying in Spokane, they had three children; Dr. William Butts, Harriet Butts Ferry, and Phyllis. Phyllis had many beloved nieces and nephews on all sides of her family living in all directions of the U.S., England and Europe. Phyllis’ many cousins were the subjects of a lifetime of childhood memories. Phyllis attended schools in Spokane, Wash., on the West Coast and Smith College in North Hampton, Mass., on the East Coast. She was an avid reader and excellent business woman. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 302 Greenwood St. in Morgan City with interment following in the Morgan City Cemetery. Active pallbearers: S.J. Landry, David Gautreaux, Jared Vidos, Vince Vogel, David Garber and Robert Baird. Honorary pallbearers: Glenn D. Garber of Lake Charles, brother-in-law to Phyllis; Emile Wagner, fellow member of the Young Foundation board. The Garber family would like to thank the medical community of Morgan City; the staff of Teche Regional Medical Center; Bayou Home Care in Morgan City; Vicki Darnell of Angel Care; St. Joseph Hospice in Thibodaux; and most importantly the loving, professional staff at Maison Jardin. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in Phyllis’ name to: The Morgan City Public Library and Trinity Episcopal Church.