Phyllis Ann Gester

Phyllis ovalPhyllis Ann Gester, 83, went to be with our Lord on February 5, 2016. At the time of her death she was loved and surrounded by family. She was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas and attended Emporia State Teachers College where she received a B.S. in Education.  She later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.  Phyllis taught kindergarten through 5th grade and continued to teach when she moved to Birmingham in 1969. Upon retirement, she was a substitute teacher in the Vestavia Hills School System.  She is an active volunteer and supporter of Gideons International and Save-A-Life and a member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church where she served in the Prayer Ministry. She is survived by her sisters, Jan Carmichael, Olathe, KS and Barbara Oliver (Bob), The Villages, FL; her children,  Stephen Gester, Catonsville, MD, Tom Gester (Diana Wood), Mountain Brook, AL, Kathy DeLucas (Larry), Birmingham, AL, Jess Prisock (Adrienne Londono), Athens, GA, and Vicki Sweeten (Ed), Blythewood, SC; her grandchildren, Rob DeLucas (Erin), Nashville, TN, Edwin Sweeten (Leah), Roswell, GA, Katie Duke (Andrew), Augusta, GA, Wes Sweeten (Kate), Lexington, SC,  Wayne Sweeten, Sacramento, CA, John DeLucas, Pittsburgh, PA, Christina Sweeten, Atlanta, GA, Will Gester, San Francisco, CA, and Tyler Gester, Tuscaloosa, AL, and her great-grandchildren, Ellie Sweeten, Win Sweeten, Ruthie Sweeten and Ryan DeLucas. Phyllis is preceded in death by her loving husband, Steve Gester and her parents, Ralph Earnest Wilson and Velma E. Wilson. Phyllis will be buried in the Alabama National Cemetery alongside her husband, Steve, at a private family service.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in the Chapel on Saturday, February 13 at 11am.   Visitation will be prior to the service at 10am.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to either Gideons International, PO Box 101353, Bham AL 35210 or Briarwood Presbyterian Church Missions Ministry at  2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by Tracy and Holly of Alacare Hospice,  and many faithful friends and prayer warriors during the last months of Phyllis’ time on Earth. She very much appreciated their prayer support and visits.  We wish to thank in particular Phyllis’ friend, Zonya Collum, who faithfully cared for her throughout her entire illness. The family is comforted and thankful for Phyllis’ love for the Lord, Jesus Christ, and that now she is rejoicing in His presence for eternity!