Phyllis Elaine Smith

Phyllis Elaine (Powell) Smith, 88, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2024. She was born on January 25, 1936, to the late Donald McCorkle and Grace Lillian (Bieber) Powell.

Phyllis graduated from Elmhurst High School and followed her passion and talent to sing with the big bands. She traveled the country as the lead singer with Ted Weems, Jimmy Stier, Benny Goodman, and the Glen Miller Orchestras. She later performed as the lead female in many Civic Theatre Productions including Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, where she met her late husband of 40 years, Frederick Charles Smith. She held the title of Miss Junior Indiana. Phyllis co-owned Fig Leaf Fashions and worked at Chase Bank. She volunteered as an adult literacy tutor, Girl Scout Leader, reading volunteer, various church committees, costume seamstress, and many more.

Phyllis enjoyed spending time at the lake, playing family games, reading, needlepoint, traveling, fishing, and puzzles. She loved and raised six generations of West Highland White Terriers. She loved her fur babies Cooper and KC.

Phyllis is survived by her loving daughter: Kelly Elaine Smith-Monasa, son-in-law: Ben Monasa, granddaughter: Lauren Blair Monasa and grandson: Lucas McCray Monasa.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Arletta Martin and brother, Donald Powell Jr. She is survived by many special nieces including: Sandy Spieth, Janos Elder, Cheryl Potts, Lori Beghtel, Carol Powell-Martinez, and Sheila Stuckey.

Visitation and funeral are scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024 at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Home-Pine Valley, 1320 E Dupont Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. A visitation is scheduled for 1:00-3:00 PM and funeral directly following at 3:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.