Obituaries

Jane Gantt Bumstead Phillips, 83, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Jane leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories, a legacy of love, and a family who will forever hold her close in their hearts.

Born on June 25, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, to John and Madelaine Bumstead, Jane grew up in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Hillcrest High School before attending Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she studied music. An accomplished pianist, Jane had a lifelong passion for music. The piano was more than an instrument to her; it was a beautiful expression of her talent, creativity, and love for the arts.

Along with her love of music, Jane was an enthusiastic sports fan. She loved her Dallas Cowboys, but her greatest sports loyalty belonged to her beloved San Antonio Spurs. Whether cheering on the Cowboys on Sundays or rooting for the Spurs, Jane’s passion for her teams was unmistakable. Sports were not simply entertainment to Jane; they were another source of joy and excitement in her life.

In fact, sports played a special role in the very beginning of her greatest love story. Jane and Dave’s first date was to a Dallas Cowboys football game at the historic Cotton Bowl in 1965. What began as a football game would become the start of a beautiful lifelong partnership. On December 31, 1965, Jane married the love of her life, David “Dave” Phillips. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, and memories that would span more than 55 years of marriage. Throughout their years together, they called Dallas, Sherman, and San Antonio, Texas, home.

Dave preceded Jane in death in May 2021, but the love they shared remained an enduring part of her life. Their story, which began with a Cowboys game in Dallas, became a lifetime of devotion and a beautiful family legacy.

In addition to her devotion to her family and her passions for music and sports, Jane enjoyed a successful career in the banking industry, working for both Frost Bank and Jefferson Bank. Her professional accomplishments were another meaningful chapter in a life filled with dedication and purpose.

Above all, Jane’s greatest legacy lives on through the generations of family she leaves behind.

She is survived by her three loving children: Elizabeth Diaz and her husband, Ernesto, of San Antonio, Texas; Emily Phillips of San Antonio, Texas; and John Phillips and his wife, Courtney, of Dallas, Texas.

Jane was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: David Birkey and wife Victoria, Alexis Cline and husband Caleb, Wesley Pack and wife Claire, Andy Diaz and wife Sarah, Sarah Hoppe and husband Patrick, Wyatt Pack, Isabella Ramirez, Austin Phillips, and Avery Walton.

Her family continued to grow with the blessing of eight great-grandchildren: Owen and Griffin Birkey, Benjamin Diaz, Aubrey, Maren, Eden, and Shepherd Cline, and Stirling Pack.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dave Phillips; her parents, John and Madelaine Bumstead; and her three brothers, Frank, Bob, and Bill Bumstead.

While her passing brings sadness to those who loved her, there is also comfort and peace in knowing that Jane is reunited with David, the love of her life. After more than five years apart, we find joy in imagining them together once again, their love continuing beyond this life.

Jane will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by the family she leaves behind. Her beautiful music, her unwavering loyalty to her Cowboys and Spurs, her love for her family, and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

It seems only fitting that a love story that began at a Dallas Cowboys game in 1965 would become a lifetime of love, laughter, and family. And while we will miss her dearly, we find peace in knowing that Jane and Dave are together again, reunited in a love that even death could not diminish.

Memorial Service

A memorial service celebrating Jane’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those wishing to honor Jane’s memory consider making a donation to the **Alzheimer’s **Association . Your generosity will help support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to the ongoing efforts in care, support, and research.