Phyllis Harrell

Phyllis Louise Collier Harrell of Uvalde, TX, passed away on March 17th, 2022, at Main Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX, at the age of 85.  She was born on October 14, 1936, in Coombs, TX, to LaVonne (Hatch) Collier and William Samuel Collier.   She married John H. Harrell, Sr, on Friday, October 12, 1956, in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Uvalde.

Phyllis graduated from Uvalde High School in 1955 then attended Southwest Texas Junior College for a year.  After she married, Phyllis joined her husband in Austin, Texas, where she worked in the secretarial pool for State Farm Insurance. In the fall of 1957, the couple moved to San Antonio, working for USAA until 1960, then returned to Uvalde to start a family and where they remained lifelong citizens.

Phyllis adored her personal and close extended family.  She and John hosted many large family holiday gatherings, opening her home to whoever wanted to join for food and festivities. “Granny Lou” was known for her homemade Wednesday night meals, something her two children and their families looked forward to weekly.

Another extended family she cherished was her Wednesday morning prayer group made up of treasured friends she drew comfort from daily.   Lifelong friendships were created and worshiped as she served on many First United Methodist Church committees over the years.

Phyllis enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.  She often went to Sonic Happy Hour and sipped on iced tea with her Mesquite Street friends.  Phyllis enjoyed traveling with close-knit friends and shopping for antiques around Texas that she and close friend Nancy Ham would re-sell in the antique shops they managed and operated in downtown Uvalde. She also loved traveling with her siblings, stopping and shopping at quaint historical places in and around Texas, as Fredericksburg was an all-time favorite.

But, her all-time priceless family trip was a suburban full of grandchildren hitting the roads of highway 90 headed for zoos, museums, outdoor water parks, river-walk hotels, and restaurants, ultimately ending at a family resort watching the kids relishing in the sunshine, water rides, and video arcades.

Granny Lou was also known for building fun family traditions that her grandchildren still talk about such as annual Easter Egg and Christmas Scavenger hunts.  Her clever clues led them through the sidewalks of downtown, refreshments at Rexalls, to the neighboring church, ending up in their backyard, rushing around to find the golden egg, or seeking out that special stocking with a little extra something hidden inside on Christmas morning.

She is survived by her two children, daughter, Julie Hipp, and husband Richard, son, John “Hal” Harrell, Jr., and wife Donna, all of Uvalde; five grandchildren, John Harris Hipp of Austin, Texas, Kristen Ann Harrell, and wife Jessica of Uvalde, TX,  James Richard Hipp, and wife Carly, of Spring Branch, TX, John, “Trey” H. Harrell, III, Jay Crawford Hipp, and wife Jennifer, all of Uvalde, TX; great-grandsons, Tate Michael Hipp, and Rhett Richard Hipp of Spring Branch, TX. Siblings: Bill Collier and wife Edie, Dwight Collier and wife Mary Ann, Sharron Collier Carnes and husband Eddy Carnes, and Richard Collier and wife, Lee Ann; sister-in-law Clarisie Harrell, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother-in-laws D.S. “Jack” Harrell and wife Jerry, and Jimmy Wynn Harrell.

Services will be held Thursday, March 31st, 11:00 at First United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.  Viewing at Rushing Estes Knowles, Wednesday, March 30th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, John Harris Hipp, Kristen Ann Harrell, James Richard Hipp, John “Trey” H. Harrell III, and Jay Crawford Hipp.  Honorary Pallbearers will be nieces and nephews of the Collier families, Elaine Collier Magnum, Cody Collier, Kay Collier Vernor, Kevin Collier, Marcy Collier Bryant, J Allen Carnes, Jenny Lou Carnes, Wes Collier, Tyler Collier, and Koby Collier.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, First United Methodist Church of Uvalde, or El Progreso Memorial Library.