Phyllis Smith Glenn

Phyllis Marie Smith Glenn, aged 87, peacefully departed this life on December 5, 2025. She was the daughter of Leona and Robert Klipsch. She led a rich and fulfilling life and will be profoundly missed by her loved ones. Family was her priority, well liked and admired, she was a talented businesswoman, loved sports, cherished her beloved pets, and had a passion for fashion, music, the arts, travel, reading, and, above all, her family and friends.

Phyllis was born in New Castle, Indiana, on September 8, 1938, later moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, and West Virginia. During her teenage years, she moved Albuquerque, where she graduated in 1956 from Highland High School, becoming a lifelong resident of New Mexico. Following her graduation, Phyllis went to the University of Michigan on scholarship. Later, she returned to New Mexico and enrolled at the University of New Mexico, where she met her husband, Harrison Smith, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. They were married shortly thereafter on December 29, 1957.

Phyllis and Harrison began a construction and management business building many apartments, custom homes, and developed various other commercial properties under Harrison Smith Construction Co, H.S. Rentals, and Smith-Everett Homes, primarily building in Albuquerque, and also in Rio Rancho, Grants and Socorro. She managed the accounting for apartments, custom home construction, and property management. Through her involvement in the custom home building business, Phyllis became a licensed Interior Designer, specializing in apartments, model homes, as well as working with clients for all their interior design needs. Phyllis was a prosperous business partner with her husband Harrison for more than 50 years, then solely owning the thriving H.S. Rentals Co. for the final 15 years of her life, with assistance from their son, Harrison, Jr.

Phyllis was an avid runner covering numerous miles alongside her Doberman Pinschers and joined her son actively running in local 5K races. She took great pride in supporting her son and grandchildren in track, cross country, and swimming, rarely missing a meet-from local competitions to numerous State Championships, NCAA National and Conference Championships, and even attended the 1984 Olympic Games.

She and Harrison were devoted Lobo fans, regularly attending Lobo basketball games since The Pit was opened, as well as football and track meets for over 50 years. They played a significant role in building The Great Friends of UNM Track & Field Facility in 1986, which also established themselves as members of UNM's Popejoy Society.

Earlier in Phyllis' life she was affiliated with numerous organizations, such as the Junior League of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Symphony Women's Association, referred today as the Music Guild of New Mexico. Phyllis served as President of the Albuquerque Symphony Women's Association from 1972-1973, where she implemented the fifth-grade concert at Popejoy Hall which still continues today. Additionally, Phyllis was a member of the New Mexico Chapter AA of P.E.O. which her grandmother, Marie Hinkel, was a founding member.

Phyllis began modeling in High School, which later began many years of modeling with Flair Modeling and Fashion Consultants, the Goldwater's Department Store, and the Albuquerque Junior League. Upon her entry into the modeling field, she also assumed the position of a makeup artist at Goldwater's, which sparked her enduring passion for Chanel cosmetics as an integral aspect of her life where tor her last days she always had her red lipstick in place.

The extensive travels that Harrison and Phyllis in Mexico, California, Tahiti, and Europe experienced also included a two-decade condo residence in Laguna Beach, California. During this time, they met and cherished numerous friends and family members who visited them on various occasions. Harrison's passion for the ocean led them to a lifestyle filled with many fishing and excursions to Catalina Island aboard their boat Ya-Tah-Hey.

Phyllis is survived by her children: daughter Sylvia Chavez (Jeff), granddaughters Samantha, Natalie (Chris Micheal), and Courtney, as well as great-grandchildren Charlie and Emory Chavez Micheal. Daughter Marie Everett, grandchildren Greg Everett (Vikki), great-grandchildren Hunter and Archie Everett, Matt Everett (Holly), great-granddaughter Riley Everett, Mackenzie Everett. Son Harrison (Chip) Smith Jr., grandsons Harrison Smith III, Wyatt Smith, and Jett Smith. She is also survived by her sisters Kathy Abbott and Marjorie McCracken (Pat). Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Leona and Robert Klipsch, her husband of 53 years Harrison E. Smith, her second husband Jimmie Glenn, and her son-in-law, Scott Everett.

The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers at MorningStar Memory Care at North Ridge for their dedicated care and comfort for our mother during the final days of her life. Memorial Services will be on December 27, 2025, at 10:30am at French Funerals & Cremations at 1111 University Blvd NE. Burial services will follow at Fairview Memorial Park at 700 Yale Blvd SE.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the UNM Lobo Club, Sports Enhancement Fund or to Popejoy Hall Excellence Fund.