Phyllis G. Mason, 87, of Springfield, passed away January 15, 2011 at 11 p.m., in St. Johns Hospital with her family by her side. She was born June 4, 1923 in Elkland, Missouri.
Waiting to take her into their arms are her parents, Slay and Bethel Derrick and her husband, Vernon (Dick) Mason. Phyllis graduated Elkland High School at the top of her class. Her dream was to become a school teacher but instead supported her husband in his ambition to have a dairy farm. Together they operated a dairy farm in Fair Grove, Missouri for several years. She was a very supportive wife and worked hard every day.
She accepted Jesus as her personal savior at a young age and served him faithfully for many years in Fair Grove Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. Her faithful service to the Lord resulted in her children and grandchildren coming to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
After her husbands death she moved to Springfield and joined Briar Street Baptist Church where she attended faithfully until her health prohibited it. Phyllis was a volunteer at St. Johns Hospital for 17 years. She also volunteered at Grand Oaks Mission.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, sister, Helen Rose; and step-mother, Mary Lou Derrick. Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Janice and Paul McNealy, of Fair Grove, and Betty and Dan Samples, of Springfield. She was Nanny to four grandchildren, Mike and Kim McNealy, Karan Loyd-Mosley and Jeff Moseley, Annette and Bryan King and Doug and Shelly Mallonee. Five great-grandsons, Bobby and Matthew Loyd, Tyler McNealy, Dale Mallonee, and Nathan King; step-great-granddaughter, Jacki Moseley and step-sister, Kay Carroll. She had three special nieces, Mary, Delores, and Rebecca; two nephews, Mike and Mark, all from the Kansas City area.
She was blessed to have many many great friends. She was a good mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and we will miss her sorely until we join her in Heaven someday.
Services will be Wednesday at 12:30 in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, with Dale Rose officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home, from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday evening. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery in Elkland, Missouri.
The family would especially like to thank Dr. Dominic Meldis for tenderly caring for her for 30 years. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38148-0142