Phyllis Jane Smith

Phyllis Jane Smith, 99, passed away peacefully at her home in Colorado Springs on Friday, July 5, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Allen Smith Jr., her mother, Zola Pearson, brother Grimes Pearson, and many dear relatives and friends.

Phyllis was born on September 12, 1924 in Casey, Illinois. She was raised in Illinois and in Cunningham, Kansas where she graduated from high school and then attended junior college in Pratt, Kansas. During WWII she worked at the Pratt Army Air Force Base. Shortly after the war she moved to Colorado Springs with a friend. One evening, while enjoying ice cream at the iconic Michelle’s Chocolatiers and Ice Cream Shop in downtown Colorado Springs, she met her husband to be, Allen. They eloped January 3, 1952 and started their life together in Colorado Springs, both working at Alexander Film Company. Their life journey took them to Michigan, California, and then back home to Colorado in 1969.

Music was Phyllis’ favorite thing. Whether performing in or going to concerts, music brought her great joy. She was a dedicated Alto 2 in the Colorado Springs Chorale for over 40 years singing at the opening of the Pikes Peak Center, on the top of Pikes Peak, in Cripple Creek at Christmas, and more. She was thrilled when her daughter, Marcia and grandchildren, Sarah and Luke got involved in the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale. She was a forever fan, volunteer, and donor! She was so proud to say that her son, Ed played the violin and she followed his musical path with great interest.

Phyllis also loved gardening, the farmers market, cheering on her favorite tennis players (her boys she would say), and was a prolific reader, bridge, canasta, and Mahjong player. She loved her friends and social life, especially upon retiring from Farmers Insurance where she worked from 1962-1989. There were her Friday Friends, The Major Babes, Chorale Friends, the Farmers Group, numerous bridge groups, the canasta girls, and her colleagues from the American Business Women’s Association where she was a proud member since joining in 1974.

Phyllis’/Mimi’s other great love was her family for which she was a proud and enthusiastic cheerleader. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and in the past 22 years, the lights of her life, her 5 great-grandchildren- Ollie, Grant, Eli, Ila, and Miriam. She followed their lives carefully, visited when she was able, and looked forward to their visits with great anticipation. She watched many of Ollie’s live-stream concerts and Grant’s wrestling matches. She watched videos of Eli’s basketball and baseball games and always wanted to know the score. She loved Ila’s stories, seeing her creations, and listening to her sing, and most recently marveled at Miriam’s 2 year old antics and treasured her snuggle time.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Marcia (Jim) Hendricks and Edward Smith; grandchildren Sarah (Jeff) Kress and Luke Hendricks, along with 3 great granddaughters, and 2 great-grandsons.

Phyllis wanted to be remembered with laughter and song. Please wear purple and join the family at a Celebration of Life Service on July 27, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado Springs Chorale, www.cschorale.org or the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, www.kidssing.org