Norma "Gayle" Phillips

Graveside services for Norma "Gayle" Phillips, 86, of Chico, Texas, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Chico Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2025, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

Norma Gayle Phillips, of Chico, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 86 years old.

Born on May 12, 1939, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Gayle grew up with a strong sense of family, faith, and community. She graduated from Chico High School in 1957. She was well known for her service to Morris Memorial United Methodist Church as a pianist and organist for more than 35 years.

Gayle was a proud mother to her four children, Bobby, Donna, Jimmy, and Billy. She also cherished her siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family was the heart of her world, and she always made sure to show them how deeply they were loved.

Beyond her family, Gayle also treasured the many friendships she built throughout her life. She had a gift for making people feel welcome and valued, and her friends knew they could always count on her for a kind word, a listening ear, or a good laugh. Those who were blessed to call her a friend will remember her warmth, loyalty, and the joy she brought into every gathering.

Gayle was a great seamstress and quilter. She was always willing and happy to make clothes or curtains or quilts if her friends and family needed them. She enjoyed reading, playing the piano, and tending her plants in her backyard.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Carrie Ruth (Stonecipher) Smith; father, James Franklin “Papa Jim” Smith Jr.; granddaughter, Stacey Richey; younger brother, Frank Smith; and brother-in-law, Norman Richey.

She is survived by her younger sister, Kay Richey of Chico; eldest son, Robert Richey and wife Rhonda of Chico; daughter, Donna Geeslin and husband Ron of Chico; sons, James Richey and wife Pam of Sanger and William Richey and wife Kathy of Chico; grandchildren, Chase Coffman and wife Hannah of Chico, Chad Geeslin and wife April of Azle, Josh Richey of Chico, Chris Richey and wife Sarah of San Angelo, Leah Clark and husband J.D. of Chico, Derek Richey and wife Kelly of Fort Worth, Amber Thorn of Childress, Keshia Fraser and husband Josh of Ponder, Kenneth Berry and wife Roxy of Rhome, Sherry Blair and husband Robby of Newcastle, Monty Forbus and wife Brenda of Chico, Levi Forbus of Newcastle, and Wesley Moody of Krum; 36 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren.

Gayle will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love for her family, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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