Phyllis Ann Smith

Phyllis Ann Smith, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, April 5th, 2025.Services will be private.
Born in McDowell County, West Virginia, Phyllis spent her early childhood in 22 Holden in Logan County, playing along the banks of Peach Creek with her siblings and neighborhood friends. Her family later settled in Brazil, Indiana, where she graduated from Van Buren High School. After graduation, Phyllis attended business college in Huntington, West Virginia, while working at Owens-Illinois. It was there that she met the love of her life, Clyde Smith, Jr. After two years of courtship, they were married on September 29, 1964, and shared 58 beautiful years together until his passing in 2022.
Eager to start a family, Phyllis chose to become a full-time stay-at-home mom after the birth of their first child, Kevin. Six years later, their daughter Kelly arrived. Phyllis often said her children were her favorite part of life, and she cherished every moment of raising them. The family moved often as Clyde's career progressed, eventually putting down roots in Manteca, California. A devoted and energetic mother, Phyllis immersed herself in her children's activities and community life.
She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star and devoted much of her time to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, serving as a Mother Advisor many times. Through this Masonic youth organization, Phyllis mentored countless young women, helping them build leadership skills, confidence, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Phyllis's love of reading was one of her most cherished passions-a love she passed on to her children and many others. She volunteered at Shasta Elementary School, supporting fourth through sixth grade students with literacy, ensuring they had the skills to nurture their own lifelong love of books. In addition to her literary devotion, Phyllis was a gifted seamstress who created clothing, Halloween costumes, and home décor items with the skill of a professional. Her creativity extended to home improvement, where she excelled at furniture restoration, upholstery, and interior design.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton Ray Hull and Alma Marie Curry; her husband, Clyde Allen Smith, Jr.; her sister, Nora McMillen; brothers, Clayton Hull and Homer Hull; mother-in-law, Alice E. Smith; sister-in-law, Flora Wall; and her beloved brother-in-law, Wilburn McMillen.
She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Smith; sister, Patricia McMillen; nieces, Tammi (Chip) Holbrook and Amy McMillen-Metzgar; nephew, Andrew McMillen (Somer); special "adopted" children, Brandon and Amy Moore; her beloved grand-pups, Emmett and Winston; son, Kevin Smith (Dawn); and granddaughter, Megan Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition:
https://ovarian.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
The American Cancer Society:
https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/In-Honor-of-Phyllis-Ann-Smith