Phyllis Ann Cole Reece

Phyllis Ann Cole Reece, 58, of Sanford, NC passed away at her home surrounded by her family. Phyllis has endured an overwhelming and long medical journey. A celebration of life will be held at 5:00pm on Wednesday March 26, 2025 in the Rogers Memorial Chapel by the Rev. Travis Corley. We are asking all attendees to please wear Phyllis’ favorite color, purple. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Tuesday March 25, 2025 at the funeral home.

Phyllis was born in Lee County on October 20,1966 to the late Wayman L. Cole and Linda C. Cole. She was preceded in death by her late sister, Pamela “Pam” Cole Ridenhour. She was a 1985 graduate of Lee Senior High School. She then obtained her associate’s degree in Fiber Optics Technology from CCCC. She then worked at Trion for 10 years as a quality technician. After she gave birth to her first child, Sully she became a stay at home mom and continued to do so for 5 years with the birth of her twins, Spencer and Maguire and her youngest child, Gentry. Phyllis has been an 18 year employee of Pentair as a metrology technician.

Phyllis married Tim Reece August 27, 1988. She met Tim shortly after Tim got out of the Army. Their first date was with his entire family for his parents’ anniversary. They dated for two years then got married. They have shared 39 crazy beautiful years together and will be reunited in heaven.

Phyllis’ autistic son, Gentry attended Floyd L. Knight Children’s Center where Phyllis was very active and served as the current PTO president. She was a former tutor and President of the JR Ingram Elementary School, when her children attended school there. She was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She was an organizer and advocate for events and activities for children and adults with severe and profound disabilities. Phyllis was involved in any and all activities her children were involved in.

Phyllis loved scrapbooking, thrifting, and completing DIY projects with her husband and daughter. She was an avid shopper who could shop from sun up to sun down. She had a unique taste for colorful and eclectic decor and clothing, including medieval castles, crosses, and knights.

Although Phyllis' health declined, she still maintained her colorful personality. Phyllis was a spitfire who spoke her mind and never held back. However, she was also a very kind and selfless lady who loved her family and will always be remembered for a kind and generous heart. She always put others first and would give the shirt off her back to

help a stranger. She dedicated her life to her children to ensure they had a wonderful and loving childhood. She always said her biggest joy and accomplishment in life were her children.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband Timothy “Tim” Reece; mother, Linda C. Cole; son Sully Reece and wife Caitlyn Reece of Fuquay-Varina; daughter Spencer Reece; son Maguire Reece and girlfriend Cynthia Alvarado; son Gentry Reece; two grandchildren Crew and Emmett Reece; sister Donna C. Morgan and her fiancé James Parker of Lillington; brother Travis Cole and his wife Tiwana Cole; many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Phyllis’ mother’s home at 3111 Jefferson Davis Hwy Sanford, NC 27332 anytime.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Phyllis Reece’s memory may be made to The Floyd L Knight Children’s Center- PTO, 607 West McIntosh Street Sanford, NC 27330.