Phyllis Margaret Martin, of Las Cruces, NM, ‘graduated’ to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, August 18, 2023. Phyllis was born on November 6, 1931 in Farmington, ME to Ada and Percy Taylor. She was the youngest of five children, and her time here on this earth lasted for 91 years, 9 months, and 11 days. After graduating from high school, Phyllis took a job in Ohio as a nanny. She came to dearly love all three children and developed a life-time connection with others in the family. In 1953 she moved back to Farmington where she worked as a secretary for the Agriculture Office. It was there that she met her soon-to-be husband, Vernon. Six weeks after their first date, he proposed, and in another six weeks they were married. She was 22 years old. After the birth of their fourth child, Vernon declared he had shoveled enough snow, and in January 1960 the family of six moved from Maine to Roswell, NM where they were blessed with two more children.
Phyllis was a stay-at-home mother until her two youngest started school; it was then she began volunteering in the library at Valley View Elementary school. She was soon offered a librarian position at Edgewood Elementary school, and after several years she transitioned to the Roswell Independent School District Material Center. After 21 years of service she retired. In 2003 she moved to Las Cruces, NM, where she lived until her passing.
From childhood to her final days, Phyllis was very involved in church. She sang in the church choir wherever she was and played in the inaugural handbell choir at First United Methodist Church in Roswell. She was involved in Sunday school, children and adult ministries, and various other church-related activities throughout her life. She read and studied her Bible daily and found it to be the source for her strength and purpose. Her passion for meeting, caring for, and encouraging others culminated in her role on the Care Team at University United Methodist Church, where she was known right up to her final days for her card and calling ministry. She had an amazing gift of listening to God and knowing just what to write and say to others, and she blessed many lives with her time and comforting words.
An avid and life-long learner, Phyllis had many hobbies over her lifetime. She played the double bass, was an accomplished seamstress, loved to knit and crochet, was an avid reader, loved her birds, painted, and was persistent in keeping up with technology. She faithfully kept in touch with friends and family, including former co-workers from Roswell, the “Lunch Bunch”.
Phyllis is survived by five daughters: Melissa (Ron) O’Hara, Beth Suess, Shannah (Wally) Mitchell, Amy (Bill) Stites, and Shelly (Rusty) Stovall. Her special honorary daughter is Jill (Jim) Herrell. She had thirteen grandchildren: Sean (Rebecca) O’Hara, Maureen (Gabe) De La Cruz, Courtney (Spencer) Small, Ryan (Tiffani) O’Hara, Ty (Leticia) Stovall, Cory Stovall, Billy (Alicia) Stites Jr., Stephen Stites, Beau Stites, Joshua Stites, Benjamin Suess, Mackenzie Suess, Noah Suess, Azrielle Mitchell. She also had 17 great grandchildren: Arabella and Finley O’Hara; Navenah, Chloe, Taelyn, and Grayson De La Cruz; Zaylee Small; Raelynn O’Hara; Billy Stites III, Holly Martinez, Zeanna and Breanna Mendez; Morgan, Nathaniel, Kalayah, and Beau Jr. Stites; Tomas Stovall; and one great-great-grandson, Jo’siah.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband Vernon, and her son, Neil.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at University United Methodist Church, 2000 S. Locust, Las Cruces, NM, at 11am on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. A reception will follow.
In honor of Phyllis’ ministry, we encourage you write a letter or send a card to a loved one or a person who might need encouragement.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a ministry at University United Methodist Church (call 575-522-8220 or email office@uumc-lc.org), or to a charity of your choice.
If you are traveling to Las Cruces, we have a block of hotel rooms reserved at a discounted rate. Please call or text Shelly at 575.649.2008 for hotel information.
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