Phyllis Elaine Terrell, age 80, of Cornelia, GA, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019.
Phyllis Elaine Terrell was born on August 26, 1939, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She lived the first years of her life in Florida and finished her high school years in Waltonville, Illinois. Her love story with David Terrell began on a Sunday morning at Buffington Road Christian Church, where she was asked to sing. They were married nine months later on February 7, 1959.
David and Phyllis moved to Cornelia in 1965 and began their lifework of raising a family and serving the church. Phyllis had nine children: Jonathan, Melanie, Memrie, Melissa, Monica, Jason, Jody, Michelle, and Mackenzie. She was gifted in making people feel loved and accepted, and her house was known as a place where people could come and make themselves at home. She loved laughter, music, playing games, going places, and spending time with her family. She was a second mother to many.
Phyllis was an artist and especially loved traveling to New York City for special exhibitions of her work at the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery.
She was the choir director at Cornelia Christian Church, and she also played piano many years there. She and David began The Joyful Noise Teen Choir in 1974 and took yearly trips to Florida where they mentored and ministered to many.
When her children were grown, she took a job at The Northeast Georgian and worked there for 15 years.
Phyllis Terrell is preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Gladys Newell, and her granddaughter, Megan Terrell. She is survived by a sister, Audra White.
She leaves behind a legacy of love through the memory of her beautiful life, her nine children, twenty-three living grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She will be loved and missed by so many who have known her love, gentleness, kindness, and beauty.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at the Cornelia Christian Church with Greg Miller and David Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens, Demorest, GA.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, GA.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, GA 30535.
