Obituary

Phyllis mary potterfield, 67, of charleston, died august 13, 2017. She was born july 28, 1950, in philadelphia, pa., and was the daughter of dr. And mrs. Thomas g. Potterfield of charleston. She is survived by her father, tom potterfield of charleston; her brothers, tom (rebecca) potterfield of haddon township, n.J., and michael potterfield of charleston; her sisters, ann (jim) weimer, suzanne (ed) pancake of charleston, lucy (tom) stec of ripley and charleston, s.C., betsy (mark) byers of leonardtown, md., and special “sister,” ann guthrie brown of miamisburg, ohio; her nieces, meg (ken) moss of sanford, n.C., blair (david) dellenbach of north charleston, s.C., and ann pancake of greensboro, n.C.; her nephews, tom (elisabeth) galperin of maineville, ohio, tom (ciana) stec of berlin, germany, paul pancake of macon, georgia, and david pancake of charleston; seven grand-nephews; and her dogs, hadley and katy. Phyllis was preceded in death by her mother, ann hauslein potterfield; her sister, katharine potterfield of charleston; her grandparents, garland and phyllis potterfield of charleston and lucien and katherine houslein of philadelphia, pa. Phyllis attended mount de chantal visitation academy in wheeling, finishing first in her class; graduated from newcomb college of tulane university, magna cum laude, phi beta kappa, mortar board, tulane university scholars, having spent her junior year abroad in england. She then completed tulane university school of law jd 1975, 11th in a class of 178, receiving the order of the coif, and numerous other awards in various aspects of the law. She belonged to omicron delta kappa. She then became the administrative counsel, supreme court of louisiana, in 1979. In 1981, she returned to her native wv and joined the law firm of bowles rice, representing national and regional manufacturing, chemical, coal and construction companies in wv state and federal courts and before workers’ compensation office of judges and board of review. She retired in december 2016. Outside her profession, phyllis’ life centered around her family and friends. She was the “special guardian” of her brother, michael, for 37 years. Through her devotion to michael, she became heavily involved in wv special olympics and as an advocate for those persons with special needs. She could be seen every june leading the awards ceremonies at the special olympics summer games at laidley field. She had a second home on the greenbrier river near lewisburg. It was lovingly referred to as “the river” as is the favorite relaxation spot for all the family members – especially children. There is nothing better than fishing, canoeing, skipping rocks, walking on the greenbrier trail, and sitting on the deck watching the amazing beauty of the river and mountains. Phyllis also had a special passion for her clumber spaniels. She was the public education chair for the clumber spaniel club of america, while also participating in clumber spaniel and cavalier rescues. Phyllis was generous to a fault. She loved being in charge and providing joy to all she met. She will be greatly missed by all. A memorial mass will be held at blessed sacrament catholic church in south charleston, 11 a.M. Friday, august 18. On thursday, august 17, there will be visitation with the family from 5:30 to 7 p.M. At barlow bonsall funeral home, 1118 virginia street e., followed immediately by “a celebration of phyllis’ life.” in lieu of flowers, and to honor phyllis, the family suggests donations to special olympics west virginia-kanawha county, p.O. Box 463, dunbar, wv 25064, or to the potterfield memorial fund with the clumber spaniel club of america at clumbers.Org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com. Arrangements are being handled by barlow bonsall funeral home in charleston, w.Va.