Phyllis Riley Gustafson

Phyllis Riley Gustafson unexpectedly passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017. She was born on May 31, 1952 at an Air Force hospital in Ankara, Turkey. She was deeply loved by her husband Carl, her extended family and a wide circle of friends she had touched with her compassion and heart of service to others who were in need or crisis. She leaves a vacuum in the hearts of those who loved her.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 24 years, Carl; her parents, Joe and Avis Riley; her sister, Pam and husband Steve; her sister, Julie and husband Jon; a daughter, Amanda and her husband John; three grandchildren, Michael, Lily and Scarlett and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Phyllis was a graduate of John Marshall High School and received a degree in Sociology from the University of Texas. She worked as a social worker, then as a sales rep for various companies. For the last 15 years, she worked in marketing in the family business, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply.

Phyllis found many to express her deep sense of compassion and caring for others. She especially had a heart for those who had encountered grief or sorrow in their lives, leading Grief Care classes at Community Bible Church, and for years assisted the San Antonio Pregnancy Care Center in answering calls of women in crisis pregnancies. She participated in a Mission trip to Mexico to work with children and joined a group of volunteers from Children's Hunger Fund on a mission trip to Haiti. And she was a frequent smiling face serving as an usher at Community Bible Church.

She saw her mission in life as a "connector" – putting people in touch with other friends or organizations. Every new acquaintance she met went into her phone contacts as a future referral! For two years, she was a faithful companion at the bedside of a dear friend battling cancer. The Lord will surely raise up new angels of compassion to fill the void she has left. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2017, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

9:30 A.M.

COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH

Dr. Ed Newton will officiate. Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park North.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the San Antonio Pregnancy Care Center, 7210 Louis Pasteur Dr., #100, San Antonio, TX 78229, www.sapregnancy.com or the Children's Hunger Fund, 4940 Eisenhower Rd., #146, San Antonio, TX 78218.