Phyllis Jean Arbogast, age 88, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at Mary Immaculate Hospital following a short illness.
Born Mach 7, 1930, in Renick, she was the middle child among three girls.
She entered West Virginia University at the age of 16, and began teaching Home Economics at Green Bank High School four years later. While living in Green Bank, she met her future husband of 63 years, William “Bill” Arbogast. Together they raised two daughters and one son in the Hampton Roads area. While she enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children, Phyllis continued her teaching career as a Home Economics teacher at Mary Atkins Christian School and later as a substitute teacher for Hampton City Public Schools. Her love of books and working with children led Phyllis to her final career at the Blackwater Regional Library Carrollton Branch, where she was promoted to Children’s Program Coordinator, retiring from her dream job at the age of 80.
Phyllis enjoyed gardening throughout her life. It began while she was raised on a farm in the lush Renick Valley, and it was a passion she shared with her husband. Her cupboards and freezers were well-stocked with all the fruits of their labors, – from homemade pickles and jams to freshly picked sweet corn frozen at the peak of perfection. Flower gardening also gave Phyllis great joy, and, in season, there was always a vase or two of freshly cut flowers in her home. In retirement, she found the time to indulge in her love of books, and became a prolific reader.
Phyllis treasured the time she spent with her family, and particularly enjoyed doting on her two granddaughters. She was an active member of Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, William Arbogast.
She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Russell, and husband, Ron, of Newport News, Virginia, and Kim Wu, and husband, Garret, of Chantilly, Virginia; son, Steve Arbogast, of Newport News, Virginia; granddaughters, Rachel and Katie; and a sister, Lucille Bryan of Atlanta, Georgia.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 16, 11 a.m. at Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church with a reception to follow at the church. Interment will be private at St. Luke’s Church Cemetery, Smithfield, Virginia.
Arrangements are by Weymouth Funeral Home.
