Phyllis Jeanne Yeatts was born in Montpelier, Indiana, on September 23, 1938, to Forrest and Mary Frye. Phyllis was a faithful servant of the Lord. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. A caring sister to 5 brothers and nephews, nieces, and extended family.
Phyllis and John met at Olivet College in Kankakee, Illinois, where they began their lives together. They married on April 11, 1959. John joined the Army, which led the couple to spend some time living in La Rochelle, France. After returning to the United States, they settled in Southeast Michigan, where John completed his master’s degree at U of M while Phyllis worked at Ford Motor as a seamstress. She later worked on the line assembling car parts with her career at Ford lasting over 25 years.
When Phyllis wasn’t on the clock, she could be found practicing one of her many talents. She hand-made much of her children’s clothes and made Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. She played piano and sang in the choir at church. She loved to bake and cook for all her grandchildren and their friends, with macaroni and cheese being a fan favorite! She was an avid gardener with her gardens being lush with flowers in the spring and summer.
Phyllis’ priority was always her family. After raising her own children, she raised her 3 oldest granddaughters. She welcomed all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with open arms. Each one knew her love was boundless. Phyllis was surrounded by children in her home for over 50 years and thoroughly reveled in every moment.
Phyllis served her Lord in many ways. She loved her church family and attended service regularly, was a leader in the board of missions, attended ladies’ bible study, and volunteered for several of the church’s outreach programs.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, John L. Yeatts, her children, Christian Yeatts, Douglas Yeatts, Cheryl Yeatts, and John Yeatts.
She is survived by daughter, Laurie View (David Herrington), daughter-in-law, Lori Yeatts, grandchildren Nicole Ramos (Frank), Lindsay Yeatts (Jeremy Berrington), Ashley Yeatts (Dave White), Gabriella Miller, and Brandon Bonenfant. She was the beloved great-grandmother to Ashli, Tristen, Peyton, Riley, Ava, Teddy, Morri, Lolly, Logan, Camille, Emma, Leo and Dominic.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM, at Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071.
Phyllis will be In-State Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Service at 12:00 PM at Madison Heights Church of Nazarene, 555 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071.
She will be laid to rest with her husband at Christian Memorial Garden West in Rochester Hills, MI.
