Phyllis Casciola

She was a native of Windsor, VT and moved to Shreveport, LA at an early age, having been a resident of Bossier City since 1978.

Phyllis was a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School and attended Whisenhunt Business College. She retired from Querbes and Nelson Inc. after 12 ½ years of service and was a 20 year member of the First Baptist Church of Shreveport, LA.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Pritchard and husband Gordon (Bud) of Seneca, S.C.; sons, Dean Everett and wife Connie of Buckhannon, WVA, Bill Everett and wife Penny of Collingsville, TX and James Everett and wife Patricia of Naugatuck, CT; sister, Shirley Rogers of Shreveport, LA and 10 grandchildren, one step grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was an organ donor and requested no formal services.

I, her sister, Shirley Rogers would like to add a few words to the obituary above which was written by Phyllis.

We had a sister, Peggy O’Neal Walls and a brother, J.C. O’Neal Jr., who predeceased her. Our parents took us to Highland Baptist Church. The four of us were all baptized there.

In 1946, my sister married Loy Everett. They had four children and lived in Stamford, CT, where the children were later educated. The marriage lasted 17 years.

Phyllis moved back to Shreveport and bought a home in Bossier City. In the 1970’s she married Thomas Jowers and was widowed. In 1988 she married Joe Casciola and was widowed again when he passed away several years later from a stroke.

She was loved and welcomed as a daily active family member and our extended families spent much quality time together for the rest of her life.

A loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and an adored “Aunt Phyll” by my daughter, Sheryl Bicknell Reeff(who lived here and was involved in her care, too) and our sister’s daughter, Gayla Walls Hodson and nephews, Albert and Kirby Bicknell. For years, Phyllis and my late husband, Lee Rogers and I sat in church together and went to the cafeteria afterwards.

Her son Bill Everett, who lived near Dallas, visited her several times a year. She was in close touch with all her children and grandchildren.

Phyllis was a faithful Christian who attended worship whenever it was physically possible. She had a good sense of humor and was witty, was a great homemaker, an excellent cook and did beautiful needlepoint work,(which her children now have)-a very organized homemaker and perfect housekeeper.

We were both widows together for a few years and were company for one another, (on the phone several times a day) and on Fridays we met at a close theater in the early afternoon and watched movies which she chose. We watched two sermons on television, (if we could not attend), football, tennis and golf. Long ago, we got to play some bridge and enjoyed long lives together. In May 2011 she fell in her home and broke her neck. Following surgery to put a screw in her second vertebrae, she lost her memory and was rendered helpless, but she was a model patient, was always smiling, singing, “I love you a bushel and a peck” with me, communicating, watching t.v., etc.

She turned 90 on January 26 and quietly passed away on Saturday, February 1. By the grace of God, I was privileged and honored to help our mother and sister throughout their lives. I thank God for her and them.

A private memorial service will be held in the chapel of Montclair Parc Assisted Living in the near future. Hopefully others will join us at your chosen locations in prayer, and read chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians-especially verse 13-“The greatest of these is love.”

The family gratefully appreciates many who have helped us with our loved one. Dr. David Abdehoe was her M.D. for years. Renee Matheny and the staff at Montclair Parc Assisted Living have been so supportive and helpful, Fran Burkhead and the staff at Spring Lake Nursing Home, The First Baptist Church home ministry,(especially Johnette Evans, who ministered to Phyllis for years) and brought her literature and gifts, and Gamble Hospice and staff.

A very special thank you to Patricia Furruya for taking me to visit and helping me with her. Also, Jacque and Steve Shearing were there for her for over ten years.

Our family appreciates all calls, cards, memorials and all expressions of condolences.

My sister wrote: Memorials may be sent to The First Baptist Church of Shreveport, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106.

You may share condolences with the family by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.comArrangements under the direction of Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport, LA.