Phyllis Barbay, 85, of Port Arthur, Texas, peacefully passed away on December 2, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was reunited with her beloved husband, Clifford "Dutch" Barbay, who predeceased her.
Born in 1939, in Port Arthur to Malcolm and Marie Goodyear, Phyllis dedicated her life to her faith and family. She loved her family dearly and had a 65-year love affair with her husband, whom she adored. Phyllis took great pride in her family's legacy of public service with her and Dutch’s children serving their communities as a teacher, federal court operations manager, city secretary and their son serving as a captain with the Port Arthur Fire Department where her husband once served as Fire Chief.
Phyllis was an amazing mother who always encouraged her children to work hard and make their dreams come true. She was loving and kind and had a big heart for others. She loved babies, especially her grandbabies and great grandbabies. As her grandchildren grew up, she cried every time they headed home and said goodbye before hanging up the phone. Her greatest joys came from fishing with her husband and sharing those same delightful experiences with her grandchildren. Known for her kind nature and warm hugs, she was always welcoming to everyone around her.
Phyllis received a certificate at Port Arthur College and soon afterwards and met the love of her life. She loved cooking, baking and making homemade ice cream. Her specialties included Cajun food, seafood, the best spaghetti you ever had in your life and whatever animal, fish or creature her husband brought home. She was always the first to offer help to others she loved, whether it was a ride to Houston for a doctor’s appointment or cooking meals for the bereaved. Above all, was Phyllis’ love for Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.
Phyllis leaves behind her children, Mari Vell and her husband Ray of Cross Roads, Texas; Terri Splawn and her husband Stevie of New York, Texas; Shelley George and her husband Chad of Allen, Texas; and James Barbay and his wife Andrea of Nederland, Texas, and her ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-love, Douglas Barbay and his wife, Judy of Nederland, Texas, Michael Barbay of Crosby, Texas, and her sister-in-love, Beverly LaFleur and her husband, John of Nederland, Texas.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with a rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., at Clayton-Thompson Funeral Home in Groves, Texas. Followed by a Catholic Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland where she was a devoted parishioner. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.
Her family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Compassion Hospice and Rosefield Court for the loving care they provided to our mother and grandmother, as well as treating all of us as a part of their families.