Phyllis A Small's Obituary
Passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, August 12, 2017. She was born at home on August 1, 1923 in Chanute, Kansas. She attended local schools, and graduated from Chanute Senior High School in 1941. She attended one year at Chanute Junior College.
Phyllis was a drummer in the Chanute High School Drum Corps, and also the Treasurer of the Girls Athletic Association (G.A.A.), a program of intramural athletics for girls.
She loved swimming and diving. She was known for her skillful dives off the 25 foot diving board at the Chanute Swimming Pool. She particularly enjoyed performing swan and jack knife dives.
She married Sgt. Doran Eugene Small on February 13, 1945 in Chanute, Kansas. Shortly after the birth of their first son Doran Jr, they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. They made their home there for 17 years, and welcomed their children Donna, Steven, Connie, and Robert while in Michigan. Phyllis and the children returned to Chanute after the death of her husband in 1963.
She moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1976, and worked at Boeing Aircraft in electronics. She retired in 1988 at the age of 65. After retirement she returned to Chanute and worked part time at Everbrite Electronics as the lunchroom attendant for 13 years. She regularly treated the employees to caramel popcorn becoming known as the “caramel popcorn specialist”.
Phyllis enjoyed spending time with friends at The Grain Bin, biking, working puzzles, flower arranging, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. While in Chanute, she was a member of the First Baptist Church. She had many adventures in her 94 years, including traveling to Thailand, Hong Kong, and Switzerland.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Worley at age 4, her parents Iva and Richard Worley, her brothers Doyle and Dale Worley, and her Granddaughter Vicki Stiles.
She leaves behind her brother Rev. Richard Worley and wife Charlotte of Aledo, TX; her children Doran Small Jr. and wife Eileen of Wichita, KS; Donna and husband Dr. Phil Gutek of Prairie Village, KS; Steven Small and wife Joy of Chanute, KS; Connie and husband Bryan Brown of Parker, CO; and Robert Small and wife Linda of Basehor, KS. Grandchildren David Small and wife Tess of Colwich, KS; Kristin and Jeremy Luscher of Seattle, WA; Brian Gutek of Kansas City, MO; Jessica and Rick Hansen of Bella Vista, AR; Kimberly and Darin Luebbering of Chanute, KS; Crystal and Darin Anderson of Chanute, KS; Austin Wells of Portland, OR; Alison and Andy Burrow of Parker, CO; Seth Wells of Colorado Springs, CO; Brooklyn and Jeremy Wire of Chanute, KS; and Britton Small of Overland Park, KS, and her 20 great grandchildren.
Please join us for a celebration of her life on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at the First Baptist Church Good News Center in Chanute, KS at 10:00 AM, grave side service will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and First Baptist Church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 16 N. Forest, Chanute, KS 66720.
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