Phelan Albert Bright

Born in Jackson, Tennessee to Louise Brigance Bright & Howard P. Bright, deceased Brother, Bob B Bright, deceased Member of Bethany Christian Church/Disciples of Christ, Jackson, TN Member of First Christian Church/Disciples of Christ, Hammond, LA Jackson High School - cherished his class mates & reunions Memphis State University, Memphis, TN - Degree in Graphic Design Career in interior design took him to Atlanta, Miami & Dallas Met his future wife, Fay Schneider Bright in Dallas Married October 7, 1977 at Zemurray Gardens Moved to Ponchatoula, LA in 1979 PB as many people called him, had many interests such as Art Design Architecture Loved books & magazines - interior design, art especially about contemporary glass, sculpture, garden design, horticulture, nursery catalogues, botanical art, auction catalogues, trade journals Loved tactile feel of textiles, contemporary furniture, antiques Was having his 1973 Chevelle restored Loved Bowties & has a large collection Loved gardening & getting his hands in the dirt Was an amazing designer with cut flowers having worked for a florist in high school and college Travel - trip to New Orleans with an Interior Design professor at Memphis State to experience the city Summer university trip to learn Spanish in Guadalajara with college friend, Larry Langford, lived with a family Extensive travels with Fay & her parents, Marietta & Hans Schneider Honored with a magnolia named for him-Magnolia “Phelan Bright”. Always “Phelan”, not Mr. Phelan or Mr. Bright Phelan belonged to many plant societies but the one he loved the most was the Magnolia Society International. His first meeting was in 1983 in Opelousas, LA with Fay and Larry Langford. That meeting was the beginning of his involvement with the Society. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for many years. Was awarded the D Todd Gresham Award in 1995 in “Recognition of extraordinary contributions to the improved culture, increased knowledge, wider availability & greater appreciation of plants in the Magnolia family”. Fay & Phelan have traveled with the Society to annual meetings all over the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Belgium, France, Poland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy & South Korea. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Magnolia Society International Beth Edward, Secretary 3000 Henneberry Road Jamesville, NY 13078 Yes, magnolias do grow in upper NY, Canada & Sweden Phelan was his own man, ran on “Phelan Time”, loved people, could talk with anyone, cared & smiled, engaged everyone. He was truly a very special man. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home at 12012 Hwy 190 W Hammond, LA 70401, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. Auf Wiedersehen meiner Liebe

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Phelan Albert Bright

January 14, 1944 - July 2, 2022