Phyllis Edgar Sayes
Phyllis Edgar Sayes passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a remarkable 98 years of life blessed with adventure, achievement, health, humor and—above all—love.
She was born on June 16, 1925, in Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Stanley Howard Edgar and Marion Millar Edgar, the second of four siblings. As a child, Phyllis learned to play the piano, ice skated, played hockey, and enjoyed all subjects in school, but especially math. Upon graduation as a Clinical Technician from the School of Medical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan in 1947, Phyllis moved to the United States, where she began her career as a medical technologist. She first worked in Oregon, and then in San Antonio, TX, where she met her husband, Dwight "Petie" Sayes, who was stationed there in the Air Force. Petie brought Phyllis to his hometown of Alexandria, LA in 1953, where they married and spent the next 70 years building a beautiful life rooted in strong Christian faith, hard work, and discipline, and filled with laughter and enjoyment of the simple, everyday moments that became cherished memories.
Phyllis was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and lived true to the oath of supporting the church with her prayers, presence, gifts, and service. For many years, she could be found in the front of the church during worship, singing joyfully to the Lord in the choir. She was part of the United Methodist Women and served as recording secretary on the UMW Administrative Board for decades. Phyllis was recognized for a Lifetime of Christian Service to Trinity in 2014. Phyllis deeply loved and trusted in the Lord and hungered to know him better, dedicating herself to weekly Bible studies until her final days. Her abiding faith was a shining example for her family, undergirding them even now in her absence.
College-educated and miles from her birthplace in a foreign country until she gained her U.S. citizenship in the mid-90s – Phyllis was a woman ahead of her time. She had a successful career at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital for more than 30 years, earning the honor of Medical Technologist of the Year in 1985. She was articulate and well-read; rarely stumped by the crossword or word jumble in the daily newspaper and was likewise proud of her daily low Wordle scores in recent years. She was elegant and refined but sharp-witted with a wry sense of humor.
She could also get her hands dirty. Phyllis and Petie would spend many weekends at their Effie, LA “place in the country,” tending their garden of purple hull peas, sweet corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes; and she could bring the farm to table with perfection. The Sayes family shared countless meals prepared by Phyllis, or “Momo,” as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her signature dishes have become a defining part of tradition that will be passed down for generations.
Among her other many talents, through which she graciously served her family, Momo was an excellent seamstress. She made clothes for her children and later sewed special outfits for her grandchildren that are now heirloom pieces worn by her great-grandchildren. She never missed milestone occasions, said yes to invitations for travel with family, and leaned into the opportunities for fun. She loved the LSU Tigers, followed the football and baseball teams religiously, and proudly wore her purple and gold. She was a steady, wise voice of reason; a comforting presence; a guiding light of goodness.
In the eyes of her adoring family, none could rival Phyllis as a dedicated wife to Petie, Mama to her four children, and a beloved Momo to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her only greater achievement was that of good and faithful servant to the Lord, as beautifully illustrated by the handwritten verse in the front of her Bible:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dwight “Petie” Sayes; her children, Dawna Sayes Guzak (Rob), Warren Edgar Sayes (Karen), Susan Sayes Benoit (Robert), and Tracy Sayes Van Hart (Jim); grandchildren, Erin Sayes Kenny (Eric), Cameron Sayes, Maxie Benoit, Matthew Guzak, Kristin Guzak, Shelby Pruitt (Ryan), and Chloe Van Hart; great grandchildren, Brooks Kenny and James Maxwell “Max” Kenny; brother, Grant Edgar; and a host of other family members and friends.
Her parents; sisters, Jean Edgar Peterson and Tannis Edgar Walters; mother-in-law, Eunice Estelle Sayes, and father-in-law, Kirby Zenus Sayes; and grandson, Kirby Benoit, preceded her in death.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the public viewing scheduled for April 6, 2024, at Hixson Brothers in Alexandria, starting at 11:00 am. A funeral service to honor and celebrate Phyllis's life will take place in The Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria, at 1:00 pm, with the Reverend Bill Lovell officiating. Following the service, Phyllis will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.