Obituary of Gayle Lynne Phillips

Gayle Lynne Thompson Phillips passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the age of 85. Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Andrew Thompson and Travis Thompson Atkinson, brother, Charles “Chuck” Andrew Thompson, and sister-in-law, Hilda Phillips.  Left to cherish Gayle’s memory are her husband of 62 years, Britton Phillips; daughters, Debbie Wade and husband Jeff, Diane Phillips, and Dena Michna; grandchildren, Craig Wade and fiancé Kaitlin Stewart, Jennifer Wade, Shane and wife Sydney Michna, Cody and wife Selene Michna, and Casey Michna; sister-in-law, Susan Thompson, and brother-in-law, Tommy Phillips; along with a host of many other family and friends.

Gayle was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and matriarch for her family. She enjoyed traveling around the United States with her husband, and they especially enjoyed visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to listen to country music. Gayle would never miss an opportunity to watch her grandchildren play sports (baseball, football, volleyball, basketball) or perform in orchestra, band, or drama activities. She was a dedicated fan of the University of Texas Longhorns and the Houston Astros.

Gayle graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Houston and the University of Texas in Austin and was an educator in La Porte ISD.  She was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, La Porte Retired School Employees Association, Texas Educational Secretaries Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, UT Texas Exes Association, and the Longhorn Foundation.

Gayle loved life, loved people, and loved her Lord and her Catholic faith. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Services for Gayle will be held at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in La Porte. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 16, from 6 to 8 pm, with the Rosary being recited at 5:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held the following day, Saturday, June 17, at 11:30 am at St. Mary’s with burial at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

For those desiring to do so, the family suggests that donations be made to any of the following or to the charity of your choice:

La Porte Retired School Employees Association , c/o Jane Troxell, 5826 France Way Lane, Pasadena, TX  77505

La Porte Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1272, La Porte, TX  77572-1272

St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX  77036

American Cancer Society