Phyllis Anne Burnette Grose passed away peacefully on April 15, 2012 surrounded by family. She was a native of Williamsburg, VA. Phyllis was born on July 11, 1939 in Roanoke, VA, and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1957. She attended Radford College and was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, graduating in 1961 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics.
Phyllis initially taught middle and high school in the Newport News and Hampton School Systems. She subsequently served as an aide, a teacher, and ultimately Director of St. Stephen Nursery School, Williamsburg, VA over a 25 year period, touching the hearts and minds of thousands of children as she started them on their educational path. While at St. Stephen, she endeared herself to many parents and children, with whom she developed lifelong friendships.
Phyllis was a devout Christian and a member of Williamsburg United Methodist Church. She treasured her many close friends in the Aldersgate Sunday School class. She enjoyed gardening and traveling with her husband of 50 years, Bill. She was devoted to her two Yorkshire terriers, Skipper and Max.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Thelma Burnette, and a brother, William A. Burnette. She is survived by her husband, William L. Grose, Sr.; a son, William L. Grose, Jr. and his wife, Wendy, of Wytheville, VA; a son, James W. Grose and his wife, Maria and children, Tamara, Steffi, and Matthew, of Chapin, SC; a son, Michael D. Grose and his children, Lara and Samantha, of Ashburn, VA; a brother, Marvin J. Burnette, Jr. and wife, Avis of Slidell, LA; and a sister, Elizabeth Ferguson, of Orlando, FL. As well, she is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Finally, she left behind her treasured dogs as companions to her husband. Phyllis will be sadly missed by family and friends, but they seek comfort in the knowledge that she has merely transitioned from her earthly home to an eternal home in the presence of God's mercy and love.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg. Officiating will be the Reverend Doctors William Jones, Vinson Sutlive, and William Brown. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall where friends may meet with the family and express their condolences.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials of sympathy be given in Phyllis' name to the Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Online condolences may be expressed at www.nelsencares.com.
