In Memoriam

This fall, St. Philip’s lost four people who blessed the organization in very different, but impactful ways. We are grateful to have known each of them and been in their midst. These four were angels on earth to St. Philip’s and now, they’ve earned their heavenly wings. We are forever grateful all were led to serve, support, and befriend the St. Philip’s School and Community Center ministry. May each of them rest in power.

Mary Ann Amos 1957 - 2017

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Mary was an alumni grandparent and Early Childhood teacher in our summer program. She will be greatly missed by those blessed with the opportunity to serve alongside her or were a beneficiary of her beautiful spirit and smile. In Louisiana, Mary was a well-respected entrepreneur. For over 30 years, she managed Mary's House of Silk, a full-service event planning and decor enterprise. She was affectionately known as the "Flower Lady in Lawtell." Through her professionalism and artistic flair, she gained the trust of her customers, and in her role at St. Philip’s, she gained our hearts.

Don Houseman 1923 - 2017

A Dallas native, a faithful Episcopalian, and former St. Philip’s trustee, Don generously and loyally shared his resources to ensure the St. Philip’s ministry thrived. He lived a long and full life, but was not without trials. Houseman received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his service in World War II, where he was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent five months as a prisoner of war. This experience forever changed his outlook on life, and thus, Don began living every day as if it were a gift from God. As a businessman, he was active in insurance and real estate but made time for civic and charitable service. He served as mayor of the City of University Park, president of the Dallas Country Club, president of the Gaston Episcopal Hospital Foundation, and Governor Bill Clements' appointee to the Texas Teachers Retirement Fund. He was also an active communicant of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for more than 70 years.

Anne Kimbrough 1925 - 2017

Anne Kimbrough was a friend of St. Philip’s for well over 30 years, sharing her time and resources with tremendous compassion. An African proverb says a person is not dead as long as they are remembered. Ann will live on in our hearts through the love and lessons she blessed us with. Ann loved family, friendship and was a champion for education. She understood how important education is for the future of the world. In fact, in the 1980s Anne would boldly go where few from her community would – South Dallas. Long before Grow South became a city initiative, Anne and her husband, Arch, invested mightily in the ministry of St Philip's School and Community Center. Arch oversaw the construction of St. Philip's Legacy Building, the first building permit issued in South Dallas in two decades. Anne Kimbrough allowed her faith to be her fuel, and her compassion showered the world.

Grasier “Garcia” Williams 1951 - 2017

At St. Philip’s, Garcia blessed many through his delectable cooking, by ensuring guests of the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner were fed generously and well. He was a kind, charming, and generous soul, with a servant’s heart. He loved his family and passed on to his children a legacy of hard work, integrity, resilience and love. Born and raised in Texarkana, Arkansas, Williams was a master chef with a career spanning more than 40 years as a Dallas restaurateur and caterer.