Phyllis Jean Gary

Phyllis Jean Gary, 77, of Colorado Springs, CO, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2016, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Phyllis was born January 24, 1939, in Cornelia, GA, to Joseph LeRoy Berrong and Emma Jane (Gibbs) Berrong.  She attended Montreat College in Montreat, NC for two years, then married the love of her life on May 16, 1960.  As a military wife, she traveled the world finally settling in Alamogordo, NM in 1975.  Phyllis touched many lives with her great sense of humor, her love of music and art, and her skill as an expert seamstress.  Phyllis worked in federal civil service more than 20 years in Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.  She was specially selected three times as talent chaperone for contestants in the AF World-Wide Tops In Blue competition, and was MWR Manager of the Year in 1992.  Upon retiring in 2003, she volunteered on the Board of Directors for the Flickinger Theater, serving several terms as President.  After 38 years, she moved to Colorado in 2013 to be closer to her children.  She will be deeply missed and forever hold a special place in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, of 51 years, and is survived by her daughter, Tamara (Terry) Aires, Colorado Springs, CO, and her son, Reid Gary, Denver, CO; five grandchildren, Elam Swilley, Denver, CO, Aaron Swilley, Denver, CO; Lauren (Justin) Bonds, Homer, GA; Kayla (Jared) Joplin, Jefferson, GA; and Amber Gary, Denver, CO; and three great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by five older sisters:  Wendy Davis, Carlisle, MA; Jo Rowlee, Ellicott City, MD; Yvonne Olds, Cornelia, GA; Jane (Stephen) Engquist, Mt Airy, GA; and, Elaine (Vaughn Earl) Hartsell, Longs, SC.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, in Cornelia GA.

The family will receive friends at the McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 6 – 8 pm.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association, c/o North Georgia Regional Office, 922 East Morris Street Dalton, GA 30721.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home