Phyllis Combs Leet died on Sunday, January 3, 2016 in Germantown, Tennessee. She was three days shy of her 89th birthday. Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and touched many people on her journey through life.
Born and raised on a small farm in Princeton, Missouri, Phyllis attended a one-room school house in her rural community, and later rode her horse “Buddy” several miles each morning to catch the bus to the local high school. Phyllis attended Northwest Missouri State University, where she graduated with a degree in home economics and where she met the love of her life, Richard H. Leet (Dick). He was her chemistry tutor, and quickly fell in love with this beautiful young lady that would be his loving wife for 64 years.
Phyllis devoted her life to her family and to supporting her late husband in his business career with Amoco Corporation, serving as his counsel and as an ambassador for the company as they traveled throughout the world. Dick often bragged on Phyllis’ ability to connect with people from all walks of life and to break down cultural barriers and make a friendship.
Phyllis was very active in many civic and charitable organizations throughout her life in her adopted hometowns of Chicago, Illinois and Gainesville, Georgia. She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, a leader in her church and a hospital volunteer. She was very active in the P.E.O. service organization and founded a family life center for early childhood education at Northwest Missouri State University. Well into her mid-80s, Phyllis volunteered every week in the emergency room at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where she was at her best holding the hand of an anxious and worried family member or bringing a warm blanket to comfort a patient. This role truly exemplified her love of people and service to others.
Phyllis is survived by her brother Kenneth Combs of Durham, North Carolina, her children, Richard and Pamela Leet of Germantown, Tennessee, Dana Leet of Germantown, Tennessee, Alan and Debbie Leet of Eggleston, Virginia and by thirteen grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her life of devotion to her family, friends and others will be celebrated at a memorial service at 2 pm on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, Georgia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Northwest Missouri State University or P.E.O. International.
Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.