Celia Pharis' Obituary
Celia Frances Halford Pharis passed away peacefully at home in the care of her children on October 24, 2012. She was 97. She was born on October 2, 1915 to Nettie and Ira Halford in the Bells Chapel community near Yorkville, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and her husband of 54 years, James Almos Pharis. Celia was a teacher’s aide for many years with Memphis City Schools and greatly enjoyed her work with developmentally disabled children. She was a member and elder of Highland Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an avid supporter and member of parents’ organizations at Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). Celia is survived by her son, John Ray Pharis and her daughter, Sue Ellen Pharis Watson, and by her cherished granddaughter, Cecelia Alexandre Watson. She will always be remembered for her gentle kindness and her loving care as wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. A funeral service will be held Sunday, October 28 at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Interment also will be at Memorial Park. The family requests that memorials be sent to Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway or to Bells Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Cemetery Grounds Committee, 309 Bells Chapel Road, Dyer, TN. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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