Life’s Reflections
Ms. Phyllis K. Smith was born April 3, 1948, in Memphis, TN, the eldest child of the late Curley Jackson, Sr. and Bernice Lipford Jackson. She departed this life on July 6, 2024. She was preceded in death by a sister, Rose Calmese, and a brother, Curley Jackson, Jr.
Phyllis accepted Christ as her savior at an early age. She married the late Ronald C. Smith on December 13, 1977.
Phyllis left Memphis, TN, after graduating from LeMoyne Owen College and moved to Chicago, IL. She made a career at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. There, she met and maintained numerous close friendships until her untimely death. She cherished her Chicago ”family” so much that she couldn’t be convinced to move with Ronda to Virginia or with family in Memphis. She was able to make a final trip to Memphis this June for Emily’s birthday celebration. She told friends and neighbors that was her best trip home to Memphis.
She leaves to mourn her memory two sisters, Sandra Akah, Emily (Harold) Smith, and Ronda (John, Sr.) Smith-Porter, who Phyllis always proclaimed as her daughter, sister-in-law, Gloria Jackson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The Celebration of Life
Saturday, August 24, 2024 11:00 A.M.
Reverend Terance Miller, Officiating
St. James CME Church
Collierville, Tennessee
Welcome.....................................Harold Smith
Prayer
Scripture
Words of Comfort
Remarks (In person and Zoom)
Acknowledgments.........................Veleska Lipford
“His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’
Matthew 25:23
Tribute of Love
Phyllis, you were NEVER my “stepmother,” you were my “Stepped-Up” mom. You made the decision to love another’s child as your own. You were the person who STEPPED UP to provide, protect, encourage, and love. You may not have given me the gift of life, but you gave me the gift of YOU. I thank God for placing you in my life, and I thank you for being the Mom and the Mother you didn’t have to be.
I will LOVE you Always, -Ronda
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank each of you for your acts of kindness, calls, thoughts and prayers during our time of mourning. Special thanks to her close friend Gladys Owens (Memphis) and her entire Chicago connection of friends whom she totally cherished! It is our prayer that God richly blesses each of you.
