Phyllis Draughn

Phyllis Miriam Claunch Draughn, 80, of Commerce, passed away on May 15, 2018, at Country Home Estates in Commerce, Texas.  She was born on January 24, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She was the daughter of Dr. Dewitt Claunch and Dorcas Meadows Claunch.

Phyllis graduated from Waco High School in 1956.  Not too long after that she met Bill, who was in the army and stationed in Texas.  They were married in 1958.  She graduated from Baylor University in 1960, where she was a member of the Baylor Chapel Choir.  She taught elementary school for several years and they were members of Seventh and James Baptist Church.

They later moved to Commerce, Texas.  Phyllis continued her education and received her master’s degree in 1970.  While Bill began teaching at East Texas State University, she owned and directed Draughn’s Playschool and Kindergarten. She later branched out to having schools in Sulphur Springs, Cooper, and Wolfe City.  Each day she played an important part in the lives of many young children.

In January of 1990 she designed and built Country Home Estates, the first assisted living facility in the Commerce area.  She provided numerous people in their later days with safe and affordable care, while employing many people through the years at each of these places.

She and Bill have been faithful members of First Baptist Church in Commerce for over 50 years.  During that time Phyllis was active in Sunday school, served on many committees, and sang in the choir.  She loved to sing solos, duets, quartets, and even produced an album, “Jesus Loves Me”, with Monty and Linda Hunt, Trezzie Pressley, Bobby Black, David Roland, and Laura Harris.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of over 59 years, Bill; her children, Bill and his wife Karen, Bob and his wife Melissa, and Michael and his wife Jana; grandchildren, Ashlee Farrar and her husband Colton, Heather Draughn, Paige Draughn, Brittany Hartley and her husband Cody, Bobby Draughn and his wife Jolie, Austin Draughn and Raley Draughn; great grandchildren Olivia and Macie Hartley and Teagan Farrar; brother Dee Claunch and wife, Carol and Aunt Betty Vigus.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Dewitt Claunch; her mother Dorcas Meadows Claunch, and sister Kay Rodabough Hemseth.

The family would like to thank the staff of Country Home Estates, 1st Choice Home Health and Vitas Healthcare for their love and care of Phyllis.  We also want to thank the ladies that cared for our mother the last several years on a daily basis:  Lani Miller, Arlene Wallace, Amanda Luellen, Ashley Sparks and Nell Bailey.

Services are entrusted to Commerce Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

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