Phyllis Pharr's Obituary
Phyllis Anne Pharr, 77, of Charlotte, died unexpectedly on January 20, in the midst of a six-month battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Nance Pharr and Walter Mack Pharr, Jr. Phyllis grew up on Walnut Street in Davidson and graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1955. She earned her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) and her Masters in Physical Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
She began teaching at Queens College (now Queens University of Charlotte) in 1964. Phyllis earned three teaching awards while at Queens, the most recent being the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award. In 2006 she was named an Honorary Queens Alumna.
She served as the women’s tennis coach from 1965 until the 1999-2000 season. Her 1994-95 squad was the first team in any sport at Queens to qualify for an NCAA tournament. In February 2010, she was inducted into the inaugural class of Queens' Athletics Hall of Fame.
A former president of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Phyllis was professionally active for decades, including serving as State Tennis Chairwoman for the North Carolina Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Phyllis had many other interests, including environmental conservation and preservation, travel and arts and culture.
Phyllis’ family is grateful for the loving care given by her cousin Amy Pharr Elam during the last several months of her life.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death last month by her beloved brother, Walter Mack (Mickey) Pharr, III. She is survived by her nephew, Kelly Pharr, and his wife, Summer; her niece, Wendy Speckman, and her husband, Damien; four grand-nephews and a grand-niece: Davis Pharr, Holden Pharr, Anna Katherine Pharr, Brody Speckman and Cole Speckman. She is also survived by many cousins, colleagues, students and friends.
The family will receive visitors at her home on Thursday, January 22, 2015, from 6-8 p.m.
A celebration of Phyllis Pharr’s life will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, in Belk Chapel on the Queens University of Charlotte campus. A reception will follow in Rogers Hall.
The burial service at Mimosa Cemetery in Davidson will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Phyllis Pharr Memorial Fund at Queens through the Advancement Office, Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
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