Phyllis Colleen (Smith) Waters

Phyllis was born September 16th, 1936 in Richmond, Kansas. She was the fifth daughter of Sharon Whitnah Smith and Esther Ruth (Williams) Smith. The year after Phyllis was born the family relocated to Great Bend. There she attended school and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1954. After graduation she worked for Weddell’s as an accountant. Phyllis left Great Bend in 1963 for Southern California where she worked for Prudential Insurance. In 1978 she moved to Long Beach to work for Long Beach Oil, later Mobil.

On September 7, 1985 Phyllis married John (Jack) Ross Waters. Her married years to Jack were her happiest. Together they enjoyed cruise ship trips, their church and church activities. Phyllis retired at age 62. She enjoyed watching professional baseball games in Dodger Stadium, bowling with her league, collecting limited edition figurines, and later watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband John (Jack) Waters. Other family members preceding her were her father and mother, brother Frank Smith, sisters Maude Smith, Iona Velasco and Juanita Rose. She is survived by sisters Sarah West and Paticia Lynch and numerous nieces and nephews, dear friends Karen Schank of Great Bend and Gracie Kennedy of Long Beach.

During the past few years Phyllis has had many health issues. The worst has been dementia. She came to the point where her body was no longer able to function with or fight the dementia. Thankfully, Phyllis had no understanding or fear of the pandemic. She formed relationships with the staff and received good care at Villa Redondo. During her last days she had a nurse at her bedside to care and comfort her twenty-four hours a day.

Funeral services have been arranged through Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary. Viewing will be scheduled online. A private burial will take place at Westminster Memorial Park.