Phyllis Jeanne Vetters
Services to remember and celebrate the life of Phyllis Jeanne Vetters will be 3:00 pm, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Service. Family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday evening from 5-7 at the funeral home. Phyllis passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 at her home. She was 73.
Born December 12, 1942 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to R.E. and Gertie (Simpson) Reynolds, Phyllis was reared and educated in rural Osage County. She was a graduate of Nelagoney High School where she lettered in basketball. Some of her fondest childhood memories surrounded growing up on a farm and caring for Bill, her horse.
Phyllis became the proud mother of two daughters, Cheryl and Angie. She supported them through a career as an administrative assistant and later as a finance manager. She worked first for C-E Natco and later for Southern Pacific Communications (SPC) both in Tulsa. She was eventually transferred to SPC’s San Francisco based headquarters where she became the secretary to the company’s President. While working for SPC she met Steve Vetters. The two found several things in common, including Oklahoma ties, and after a few years of convincing Phyllis or “Phyl” as he called her – the two were married in a June 5, 1976 Lake Tahoe wedding ceremony.
The family later moved back to Oklahoma, briefly living in Steve’s birth community of Edmond, before settling in the Tulsa area. They built a home in Verdigris, in 1979, where they lived happily for the next 33 years. It was in the backyard of this home that both daughters were married. In addition, the backyard served as the center of numerous other family get-togethers including: wedding and baby showers, birthday parties and years’ worth of Sunday gatherings.
In the early 2000’s, Phyllis retired from work. It was then that she became Steve’s “Un-paid Assistant” in his employment as a claim’s adjuster. Phyllis was happy to help him with his phone calls and paperwork and the two had much fun together following storms and traveling the country.
Indeed, Phyllis loved to travel and took numerous memorable trips including a couple of cruises with her mother. A regular and favorite spot for Phyllis was on the beach at Padre Island. Always up for an adventure, Phyllis was willing to try just about anything. Evidence of this could be found as she casually decided to skydive one day! Phyllis was an avid reader; she also enjoyed listening to music and tried to catch as many live shows, festivals and concerts as possible.
Family was what brought Phyllis the most joy. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Holidays and birthdays were also made special because of Phyllis as she was sure to include the entire family in the shared holidays and knew exactly how to make that birthday boy or girl feel like the only person in the world on their special day. Each family member will forever remember how she would leave them with the sweet reminder, “I love you more.”
And now Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory and carry on the family traditions: her husband of nearly 40 years, Steve Vetters, of the home; her daughters: Cheryl Hite and husband, Douglas of Tulsa and Angie Powell and her husband, Douglas of Catoosa; grandchildren: Lauren Watts and husband, Justin of Tulsa; Ben Hite of Broken Arrow and Casey Powell of Catoosa. She is also survived by a brother, Stephen Reynolds of Yell County, Arkansas; a brother-in-law, Gary Parks of Tahlequah and several special nieces, nephews including: Lynn Choplin and her husband Ian and their children: Zachary Parks and Jesse Choplin of Sequoyah; Damon Parks of Owasso; Derek Reynolds and his family and Cody Reynolds all of Bartlesville.
She was preceded in death by: her parents and a sister, Carolyn Parks.