In Memoriam Phyllis L. Poper Phyllis Levonne Lawton Poper, 102, of Long Beach, California, peacefully passed away on Aug.24, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard L. Poper, and is survived by her children Roy (Laura), Penny, Jim (Mary), three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and sister Martha Walker (Bill). Born in Emporia, Kansas, she was the third of four children born to Henry and Edna Lawton. After high school, she moved to Long Beach, where she met her future husband Richard on a blind date. They married, and raised three children in Long Beach. Phyllis was active in service organizations and clubs; Virginia Country Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, California Council of Women’s Architectural League; St. Mary’s Guild; Rancho Los Alamitos; LBCC Fine Arts Foundation; Naples Island Garden Club; Los Altos Methodist Church, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Her many interests and hobbies included golf, poetry, oral history, bridge, jewelry making, crocheting, knitting, and creative writing. She had self-published two poetry books, wrote short stories, and penned a novella. Phyllis and Richard moved from Los Altos, to Naples, and then to Leisure World, where she was active in the Leisure World Community Church, Lapidary Club and the Creative Writers Club. She said that her service organization experiences enriched her life. Memorial donations may be made to the Long Beach City College Foundation; Richard and Phyllis Poper Scholarship Fund, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808; 562-938-4267 or 562-938-4139.