Phillis Arlene Smith (Wright), 86, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2018 in Mount Vernon, WA. Phillis was born on May 3, 1931 in Moulton, IA.
Phillis moved with her family to Washington State from Moulton Iowa at the beginning of World War II. She lived in Ferndale where she attended school and worked as a waitress. She married John Raymond Smith of Bellingham, Washington on June 12, 1948.
John and Phillis ran a family poultry farm with their five children in Mount Vernon, Washington for 25 years. The "Smith Chicken Farm" on Waugh Road was sold in 1975. Phillis then drove a school bus for the Burlington Edison School District. She later owned and operated a successful Mode O Day dress shop in Sedro Woolly. She sold the shop and retired in 1985.
Phillis and John were devoted members and key participants in the construction of the "Viewcrest Assembly of God" church in Mount Vernon. Phillis also lead the "Missionette" program for mentoring young girls for several years.
Her husband John died in March of 1991. Phillis met and married Marvin Wright of Ventura, California in 1993. While living in Mount Vernon they enjoyed researching their respective family genealogies and authoring several books of family history which included stories and amusing anecdotes. Family members and friends enjoyed gifts of their labors including themed quilts and photo albums tailored specifically for them. She enjoyed painting, learning new handicrafts and gardening. Marvin died in 2013 and Phillis moved to the Creekside Senior Living where she had many friends.
Phillis is survived by her sister; Ileta Sharol (Dodson)Stewart and spouse Gary, children; Ronald Dean and Marleen Smith; Evelyn Louise (Smith) Neumann; Arlene Marie (Smith) and Bill West; Raymond Lee and Cheri Smith, sister- in- laws; Sarah (Smith) Cummings and Kay Dodson, brother- in- law Steven L. Smith and Joan; John Stattner as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Phillis is preceded in death by her parents Theodore and Zena (Horn) Dodson, siblings; Evelyn Darlene (Dodson) Munn, Virgil Merlin Dodson & Wanda, Vernon Earl Dodson and Zola, Harold Leroy Dodson & Jeannette, and Thelma Marie (Dodson) Stattner; son Donald Duane Smith; Son-in-Law Thomas A. Neumann.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:00am at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, WA.
A Memorial service will held at Cornwall Church, 830 North 16th St. Mount Vernon, WA on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 12:00pm.
Donations can be made to American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; Western States Affiliate, P. O. Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030.
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.