Phyllis B Washington

Phyllis B Washington was born to the union of Willie and Lucy Bolden 0n August 4th, 1940 in St. Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Flossie Spence, Billie ‘May’ Ward, Ruby Bolden and Frances Burton, nieces Marcella Rhyne, Donna Spence, nephews Charles Ryan, Count Spence, Liston Ward Jr., and Norris Gray ‘Ward’. Phyllis Married Ra’Kim Smith at Visitation Catholic Church in 1958 to this union two children were born Fletcher M. Smith, III and Lance Smith. She Married Booker Washington in 1978, no children were born to this union. Phyllis attended St. Louis Public school(s) Lincoln Elementary in the Mills Creek area, graduated from Vashon High School in 1957 and Harris Stowe Teachers College in 1964 earning a BA m Teaching, Phyllis was a history teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools where she taught for 35 years until she retired. While attending Harris Stowe Teachers College Phyllis pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Phyllis learned volunteerism and community service. She worked effortlessly to better the lives of others in her community; as a member of the Angel Tree Ministry, AARP Chapter President, St. Louis Public schools Alumni Association from 1987-2015, Vashon Alumni Association, and Vashon Alumni Hall of Fame inductee in 2015. Harris Stowe University Alumni Association and with the Christian Women Against Hardship. Phyllis was raised in Northern Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO, where she confessed a love for Christ. Her favorite books of the Bible were written by ‘Paul’. She was a loyal and faithful servant of Washington Metropolitan AMEZ Church for 26 years, she served as a Missionary, a member of the Flower Club, the Angel Tree Ministry, and the President Barak Obama Inauguration Committee were she helped plan and organized a bus trip for a 165 people to attend the 2013 Inauguration in Washington DC, this was the 2nd inauguration she’d attended. Phyllis was a loving and devoted mother, she always spoke highly of both of her sons and goddaughters and students that she taught over the years with affection. She loved the arts; dance, music, movies and the theatre, ‘Hamilton’ was her favorite musical stage play, and anything that had a historical background. Phyllis loved to celebrate, travel and eat, she an avid foodie’ her favorite restaurant was the Tenderloin Room at the Chase Park Plaza where she often celebrate loved ones with dinner and a movie. She loved decorating, celebrating every holiday, shopping and all things Pink and Green her sorority colors. Phyllis leaves to mourn her passing, her sons Fletcher M. Smith, III (Springfield, IL), Lance Smith (St. Louis, MO), Nephew Heathcliff Rhyne (Chicago, IL), Niece’s Michelle Murphy (Chicago, IL) Eddie Spence (Chicago, IL), Lillian Gray (St. Louis, MO), and Ra’kim Smith, Connie Smith, Crystal Smith, Charles Smith and Linda Moore (All of St. Louis, MO). Beloved Friends; Debra Ried and God-daughter Donna Ried, (St. Louis, MO) Vernielle Burns, (Chicago, IL), Girthia Carter (St. Louis, MO) Pat Jones (St. Louis, MO). And the gift of a daughters love Jacquiline D. Underwood (St. Louis, MO), a daughter from another mother who she loved and trusted with a mothers heart ❤️, and a host of cousins and friends. And the gift of a daughters love Jacquiline D. Underwood (

Phyllis B Washington

August 4, 1940 - August 4, 2024