Phyllis Yost Harper

Phyliss Elaine Yost Harper broke free from her earthly chains and returned
home to her reward of eternal life on December 6, 2018. Phyliss was a
talented, compassionate, beautiful woman whose beaming light will be
missed in this world.
Phyliss's story starts on October 22, 1937 in the charming town of South
Boston, Virginia, the first child born to Dorothy and Charlie Yost. The family
later moved to Newport News, Virginia where she spent her childhood
embraced by family and friends. It was there she developed a passion for
dance, ballet in particular, which stayed with her throughout her life. She
graduated from Warwick High School in 1955. Her foundation in the gentile
state of Virginia led to a lifetime love of the South, its history and a drive to
provide southern hospitality to all she met.
At age 19, Phyliss spread her wings and traveled to New York, NY to become a
stewardess for TWA. It was there that she met a striking northerner who stole
her heart. Phyliss married John A. Harper (Jack) in June of 1960.
From here, Phyliss took on the role of dedicated military wife as her husband
pursued his dream of flying in the US Navy. During these years Phyliss's
strengths of nurture and compassion were developed to their fullest, as she
mentored military wives and raised a family.
Phyliss was renowned for her cooking skills, her hospitality, her care and
compassion placing relationships with family and friends above all else. She
developed extended families in each area the military moved her family. That
northerner she married finished his active duty military career in Massachusetts, at which time Phyliss brought her family to the beautiful town
of Norwell, Massachusetts where she lived along the picturesque North River.
The Southern Belle took the north by storm, an active member in the
community creating deep, meaningful, lifelong friendships with those she met.
Her days were spent volunteering as Vestry Member and Sunday School
Teacher at Church, within the School system, with the Boy Scouts, at the VA
hospital, participating in community theatre and fundraising for many causes
near to her heart. She worked as a bookkeeper and loved tennis and golf.
Phyliss returned to the South when they moved to Savannah, GA to be with
their daughter and grandson.
Throughout her life Phyliss volunteered on boards, countless committees, and
was a member of several clubs, but these were insignificant compared to her
true passion of befriending, helping and caring for others, family, friends, and
strangers alike.
Loved ones, who prepared a path for Phyliss and will be celebrating with her
as she enters eternal life, are her beloved parents, Dorothy Frances Mitchell
Yost and Charlie Clarence Yost, Sr., her husband of 49-years, John A. Harper, Jr.
(Jack), and her cherished son-in-law, Stephen F. Setter, MD.
Loved ones who will miss her spark, her compassion, her wit, her beauty and
her grace until they meet again, are her son, John A. Harper, III and his wife
Wendy of Norwell, MA, her daughter, Tara Harper Setter of Savannah, GA, her
brother Charles C. Yost Jr. (Chick) and his wife Barbara of Newport News, VA;
her brother-in-law, Paul F. Harper and his wife Joyce of Pomona, CA; the loves
of her life, her grandchildren, Nicole Harper, Stuart, Fl, Jack Harper, Norwell,
MA and Charlie Setter, Savannah, GA; and her beloved cousins Debbie
Stembler, Dottie Grace, Dee Kidd, Jean Church, and Eddie Powell.
The stunning southern belle, Phyliss, will be buried along side the dashing
northerner, Jack, at Arlington National Cemetery. Details to follow. In lieu of
flowers, Phyliss would like remembrances to support the families of our
military heroes as they protect our freedom through The Landings Military
Family Relief Fund c/o Savannah Community Foundation, 2225 Norwood
Ave., Suite B Savannah, GA 31406. Donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be sent within two weeks.