Phyllis Forbes Embree

Phyllis was born on February 18, 1918 in Los Angeles, California. She was the second of three children born to Charles Forbes-Lindsay and Olga Wilhemina Brennecke. Phyllis was known for her kindness, grace, and striking beauty. In 1937 Phyllis was chosen as first-runner-up Rose Princess for the famous Tournament of Roses Parade. She began a modeling career, and her face was a regular feature in ads and magazine covers across the nation. Phyllis also had a successful career in motion pictures. Under her professional name, Phyllis Forbes, she was contracted by MGM as one of the original Goldwyn Girls, a group of starlets who appeared in movies with Stars like Errol Flynn, Betty Davis and Danny Kaye. Phyllis would often say that her most important success was as a wife and mother. In 1941, she married Glenn V. Embree, a young photographer. In 1944, their son, Glenn F. was born. A few months after their son was born, Glenn Sr. was sent to China to serve as an officer in the 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers) in WWII. Phyllis continued to pay the bills through her modeling and acting. When Glenn returned home, she was happy to leave her career in Hollywood behind and focus on her family full-time. Phyllis was a devoted mother, who gave everything she could to provide a great life for her son. When she wasn’t being Mom, Phyllis worked at the studio with Glenn as bookkeeper, receptionist, and model. She and Glenn worked as a team, and together they built his business until Glenn was recognized as one of the top-ten commercial photographers in the nation. Phyllis was multi-talented. In addition to her acting, she was also an excellent painter and sculptor. In her life she created many wonderful works of art, which are now lasting treasures for generations of her family to cherish. The greatest treasures she leaves behind, however, are the lessons in courage, humility, dedication, patriotism, integrity, and devotion to family that have shaped generations of her descendants. She leaves behind a loving family consisting of her son, Glenn (Connie) Embree, six grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Virgil Embree, Her parents, Charles Forbes-Lindsay and Olga Wilhemena Brennecke, her adopted stepfather Howard Caspary, and her siblings, Kenneth and Fiona.