Obituaries

Born on October 24, 1929 near Gatesville, Texas, Myrtle was the youngest child of Gustav and Ottilie Koch, deceased loving parents, who were great examples of truly living the Christian life. She went peacefully to Jesus on June 13, 2021 after struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease for several years. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ira Phillips, they have rejoined in Heaven. Her five siblings also preceded her in death: Vernon Koch, Emma Koch Hill, Irvin Koch, Albert Koch, and Harold Koch. What rejoicing and singing there must be in Heaven’s realms! After graduating from Gatesville High School in 1946, Myrtle worked as a secretary at the Coryell County Courthouse before entering nurse’s training at the local hospital in Gatesville, Texas. After Ira finished basic training for the Air Force he was assigned to Japan in 1948 until August of 1950. Ira and Myrtle were married on September 10, 1950 and celebrated 70 years of Christian marriage before his death on September 29, 2020. Myrtle was first a Christian woman who cared deeply for others and dearly loved teaching first grade Sunday School in the various churches during Ira’s Air Force career and later in Sherman, Texas where Ira retired from the military and worked for Texas Instruments. Myrtle’s caring heart for first graders included contacting every child weekly to go over their Bible memory verse and to make certain they knew how much she loved them. She visited every child in her Sunday School class. Myrtle’s calling to teach first graders included 40 years of influencing children for Jesus Christ. During those 40 years, she also taught or directed Vacation Bible School each summer, was very active in Women’s Missionary Union, and sang in the adult choir in most all the churches during her life. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman: arising early to care for her family’s needs, all with a song from God in her heart. Myrtle’s strong faith has left quite a legacy! She enjoyed sewing, playing the piano, singing, and baking. Myrtle loved being home to see her daughters off to school and hear about their day each afternoon. For a time she worked for an orthodondist in Sherman, Texas, but then became a loving stay at home Mother. Myrtle was a member of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas, where she made many sweet friends in the Encouragers class. Myrtle was a wonderful, loving Mother and Mother-in-Love to Kathy Phillips Smith and husband, Chuck Smith, of Wylie, Texas; Sue Ross and husband, Kenny Ross, of Richardson, Texas. “Mamaw” doted on her grandchildren, Nathan Washington of Park City, Utah; Natalie Coonrod and husband, Michael Coonrod, of Melissa, Texas; Jason Smith and wife, Kari, of Richardson, Texas; Jennifer Foster and husband, Kyle Foster, of Desoto, Texas; Shannon Graf of Dallas, Texas; Kacie Dolton and husband, Marc Dolton, of McKinney, Texas. “Mamaw” dearly loved her Great-Grandchildren: Tristan Washington of St. Joseph, Missouri; Maddy Garcia of Desoto, Texas; Jacqueline Ortega of Richardson, Texas; Jessica Washington of Park City, Utah; Ryann Teela and husband, Kyle Teela, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Eli Coonrod of Melissa, Texas; Jaxson Coonrod of Melissa, Texas; Emma Washington of Fountain Hills, Arizona; Kenzie Dolton of McKinney, Texas; Graham Dolton of McKinney, Texas; Genevieve Smith of Richardson, Texas; Layla Black of Dallas, Texas. “Mamaw” loved her one Great-Great-Granddaughter, Kyla Washington, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Her many nieces and nephews were very dear to her and loved by Myrtle, as were her many friends. Myrtle’s family would like to recognize and thank Mary Ayonga and the Ayonga family for their untiring and wonderful care of Myrtle at Nedge’s Nest Care Home in Allen, Texas, where she was blessed to receive Christian ministering in such a loving Christian environment. We are forever grateful! Our family would also like to recognize Eunice Mwangala, Myrtle’s hospice nurse, who ministered such Christian love and care to her. We are so grateful to the Lord for His plan for her that included such devoted Christian caregivers, nurses, and Dr. Grant, who also cared lovingly for Myrtle with his Christian faith. Respectfully, the family requests in lieu of flowers that you donate to your church’s ministry projects, which would influence others for Christ.