Phyllis R. Hall

Phyllis Ruth (Stewart) Hall, 81 of Merriam, KS passed away Oct. 10, 2011. She was born in Union Star,Missouri, on December 18, 1929 to Mary Price Stewart and Royal Stewart. Phyllis grew up on her family farm in northwest Missouri. She attended Northwest Missouri State where she met and married her college sweetheart, Justus Campbell Hall. After graduating with her degree in education, they moved to Higginsville where ‘Phyll' and ‘Jus' started their family. The pair settled down in Merriam,KS, where they established the family business and raised their two wonderful children, Larry James Hall and Debra Ann (Hall) Nemec. Phyllis retired from teaching in 1968 to follow her passion and work with Justus as business partner in Merriam Rexall Drug, Merriam Pharmacy, Hall's Pharmacy and after 40 years, retiring as The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy inShawnee,KS.

Phyllis followed all her passions in life and one that brought her great joy was her role as grandmother. Phyllis perfected her job as ‘Gram' never missing a sporting event, dance recital or musical performance, even traveling to out-of-town softball and basketball tournaments. With summer months full of sports games, there was always time for trips to theLake of the Ozarks with the whole family. The first one up in the morning, Gram would always have breakfast ready for the family…pigs in a blanket, animal shaped pancakes, eggs and fresh fruit. The days were filled with boating, skiing, tubing, swimming, fishing and always ending with a family game…Gram's personal favorite, Boggle.

Phyllis and Justus also made time for a little adventure. Together they traveled to the East Coast to see the fall foliage (and accidentally drove through the middle of New York City), to Arizona for Royals' spring training, Hawaii, Alaska, family trips to Disney World, Caribbean cruises and more. Active in the community, Phyllis was involved with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, sponsor to numerous youth sports teams and season ticket holder of the Chiefs, Royals and New Theater, experiences she enjoyed sharing with her family.

There is much to be said about Phyllis, but the character limit will only allow so much. One thing that we will all remember was that she never stopped teaching by example, one lesson in particular, to always keep smiling. She brightened the room with her cheerful disposition and sense of humor. Phyllis was, and will continue to serve as a tremendous role model as wife, mother, Gram and friend.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Royal Stewart, and brother, Leroy Stewart. She is survived by her husband Justus, son and daughter-in-law Larry and Debbie Hall, daughter Debra Nemec, grandchildren Cori, Kelly and Anthony Nemec, former son-in-law Tony Nemec, Sarah and Zak Kissack, and great-grandchildren, Michael and Anna Ross as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Hall and Lenna Rice, Joan and Don Eklund, and all of her nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m., Friday, October 14, 2011, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., all at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to:

Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland

8900 State Line Road

Leawood, Kansas 66206

or

Shawnee Chamber of Commerce

15100 W. 67th Street, Suite 202

Shawnee, Kansas 66217

Full obituary to be posted soon.