Phyllis Bobbitt Croom

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis Croom, a double lung transplant survivor since 2006, went home to her Lord & Savior on September 10, 2011 following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Durham, NC August 6th, 1943, Phyllis graduated from Durham High School in 1961, attended the University of North Carolina and, while raising a family and following her husband to his Air Force assignments, graduated from Valdosta State College GA in 1967 with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. A teacher at heart, Phyllis later transitioned to a 35-year career in Real Estate in San Antonio, Colorado Springs, CO and again back in San Antonio. She was a true Southern lady, a natural leader and successful in all she undertook. She particularly enjoyed singing and volunteering. Phyllis participated, and held senior positions, in all the things that young Air Force wives did during that time, was active in the churches the family attended where they were stationed, and excelled at being wife and Mom to her family. Phyllis' faith, charm, beauty, intelligence and strength of convictions enabled her to encourage others to adopt truly "win-win" decisions in often difficult situations. She was a special lady who had a way of drawing people naturally to her. She will be missed by all, and there will especially `be a huge hole in the hearts of her family who were privileged to share her life.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Branson & Zula Weaver Bobbitt of Durham, NC, brothers Frank Norfolk, VA and Leonard Greensboro, NC and sisters Rebecca Mullinnix Indianapolis, IN, Doris Fulton Durham, NC, Barbara Suitt Durham, NC and Lois Rogers St. Petersburg, FL. She is survived by her husband of over 49 years, Lt. Col. William D. Croom, Jr., USAF, Ret of San Antonio, TX, daughter Cindy Croom Elley, husband Robert, grandson Lee & granddaughter Tyler of San Antonio, TX, son William D. Croom, III, wife Michelle, grandson Sam of Monument, CO and daughter Jennifer Croom Davidson husband, Patrick, granddaughter Madison & grandson Jack of Mt. Pleasant, SC; brother Norman of Taylors, SC, several brothers- and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

More than can be adequately expressed here, the incredibly knowledgeable, proficient & loving medical care provided by the professionals at the University of Texas--Health Science Center Lung Transplant Team, the START Cancer Center and the Amedisys Home Health Services and Amedisys Hospice Services to Phyllis and her family during her extended battles with pulmonary diseases and later cancer is treasured by the family. Those caring medical angels are a blessing to those in need, and will be thanked individually.

Graveside services for Phyllis will be held in Maplewood Cemetery, Durham, NC at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 15th with her nephew, Rev. Branson Rogers of St. Petersburg, FL, officiating. A celebration of her life will be held in San Antonio at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The University of TexasHealth Science Center Transplant Unit, San Antonio, TX www.transplant.uthscsa.edu or to Air Force Association Aerospace Education programs, Arlington, VA www.afa.org/AFA_donation_form.

Messages of remembrance for the family may be left at www.howertonbryan.com.