Phyllis Means

Mother, daughter, aunt, friend: four words that touch the heart and soul of an inwardly beautiful woman. Phyllis Strawberry Means was born on September 3, 1955 to the late Johnny and Norma Strawberry in Pensacola, FL. Phyllis graduated from T.W. Andrews High School in 1973 and Shaw University in 1977 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Phyllis worked for Jefferson Pilot for more than 25 years, filing insurance claims. In 2000, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. After undergoing dialysis for two years, Phyllis did not give up hope. She did not allow her health problems to slow her down or give up. In August of 2002, Phyllis received a call from Baptist hospital about a kidney transplant donor that could possibly be a match for her. God blessed her with a new kidney that day and she was ever so grateful for this miracle. Phyllis decided to return to work the following year, with a career change, as a teacher at Macedonia Child Development Center in High Point NC. She worked there for more than 5 years, teaching the 2-3 year old class. Phyllis enjoyed every minute of teaching and was fulfilled with changing the lives of many children whom she worked with. Phyllis attended Solid Rock Baptist Church for over 15 years. She was active in the kitchen committee and the choir. She enjoyed hearing the word, worshiping with like-minded believers, and having conversations about the word of God. One any given day, you would find Phyllis spending time reading the word and praying for others in her spare times. Every Sunday morning, Phyllis loved watching Bobby Jones Gospel while getting ready for church. She was a firm believer in the power of prayer and encouraged others to be who God called them to be. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength”. Phyllis was well loved by all of her friends and family. She had a very humble, patient, kind, and sweet spirit. She was able to find the good in every situation and in every person. Phyllis would do anything to help anybody and never liked to see others do without. She enjoyed spending quality time with her family and friends. Phyllis looked forward to gatherings that focused on her family such as graduations, church/choir anniversaries, weddings, and holiday gatherings. Her favorite restaurant was Red Lobster and she was madly “in love” with smoothies. Phyllis enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, traveling to the beach, and talking on the telephone. If you were around Phyllis enough, you would learn how to do two of the most important things that God commands us to do which is; “love thy neighbor” and “forgive”. Phyllis loved her children very much and always remained proud of their accomplishments. They were the sunshine in her life. On the morning of June 28, 2015, Phyllis, went home to be with the Lord after suffering multiple health problems, leaving behind a legacy filled with grace and honor. Phyllis leaves behind her husband of 15 years, Charles Means; children, Monica Thompson, Michael Thompson of Greensboro NC, Sister; Vickey Medley and her husband Maurice Medley of Clinton, MD; nieces and nephews, Marshika and James and their children of Raleigh NC, Maurice and Tishea Medley and their children of Raleigh NC, Great Aunts; Wilhelmina Flowers of Landover, MD, Helen Gardner of Durham NC, and Annabel Creft of High Point NC. Phyllis is survived by a host of cousins, frien ds, and members of her Solid Rock Church family.