Mrs. Phyllis C. Lewis
Passed 12/28/2022
Phyllis Yvonne Collins Lewis was born to the late Lenora “Lee” Collins Little and Charlie Tatmon Jr. on September 9, 1952 in Macon, Georgia. As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child” and, aside from her mother, Phyllis was also raised by her late godparents, Fannie Marie Pope Stephens and Ennis Crawford “Pop” Stephens. She was her mother’s and godparent’s only child, and they all loved, nurtured, and adored her. Her godparents also provided her with many advantages and opportunities throughout their lifetimes. Growing up, Phyllis never felt like the only child as she had a lot of first cousins she played with, loved dearly, and considered “siblings,” especially Patricia Nelson and Ronald Williams. Phyllis’s stepfather also had children: David “Sonny” Little Jr. and Dorsey Calvinaur. Though they lived out of town, whenever they would visit, they would keep Phyllis busy, and she quickly considered them her “siblings” as well.
Phyllis was baptized as a young child at Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Macon, Georgia. She converted to Catholicism in the late 1970’s at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Decatur, Georgia. Later, she became a member of The Cathedral of Christ The King, Christ Our Hope, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic churches. Her belief of “to whom much is given, much is required” led her to serve God and the church by being a Catechist (Sunday School teacher) and a past president of St. Vincent de Paul Society since 1996 (an organization that provides emergency help for food, shelter and clothes). Additionally, she was Minister of Hospitality (usher), member of the Welcome Committee, and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She never forgot about where it all started at Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church, and she and Paul continuously helped that church financially throughout their lives.
Phyllis was educated in the Macon, Bibb County Public School System. She attended Green Street Elementary School. There, she enjoyed participating in the Brownie Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Later, she attended Peter G. Appling High School. There, she was a member of the chorus, the Photography Club, and National Honor Society. She graduated and moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Morris Brown College. While at Morris Brown College she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in the fall of 1972. She was voted Miss Delta by her college chapter Gamma Zeta. She was also selected as an Omega Pearl by the men of Omega Psi Phi. She graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and was named Miss Psychology in 1971. As a first-generation college graduate, she always strived to be a role model for her cousins. She later received her Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
While working on her master’s degree, she started her career in criminal justice and law enforcement. She became a Case Worker/Counselor Intern for the Bureau of Corrections, City of Atlanta, Prison Farm After graduation, she became a Correction Officer for the Bureau of corrections, City of Atlanta, Jail Division. She later worked for Dekalb County Police Department as a Crime Prevention Specialist. This was one of her favorite positions because she loved teaching safety to adults and children. Later, Phyllis went to work for Dekalb County Government and The State of Georgia as an Adult Probation Officer, a job she had always wanted since graduate school. Though her dream was important, and she had accomplished it, Phyllis knew family was the most important thing, and in order to spend more time with her children, Phyllis went to work for Fulton County School District as a School Resource Officer. However, a chronic illness caused her to leave the work force for a number of years so she could concentrate on her health. Her last employer was with the Dekalb County School District.
Phyllis met her husband, Paul “Shank” Lewis second semester of their freshman year of college and, they have been together ever since. After graduation they married on July 6, 1974. One year later they started raising Paul’s eleven-year-old brother, Harold Lewis and ten-year-old sister, Althea Lewis. Several of Paul’s other siblings also temporarily lived with them on various occasions. Little did they know, they were starting to fulfill God’s calling for them to raise children for a lifetime. Three years later, they added to their family by welcoming their own children, Melody first and two- and one-half years later Brandy was born. Since then, they have either raised or helped raise their grandchildren and any other child in need of motherly and fatherly love, especially Twyzama Saye. Due to Phyllis being family oriented, her home was always an open door where you could get food, love, and support. In addition to raising children, Phyllis loved to travel (especially to the beach), exercise, cook, bake, and love on her dogs.
Aside from her involvement with churches and dedication to God, Phyllis was affiliated with other organizations as well. She was a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (a public service sorority) for 50 years. She was a member of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was also a member of Sisters in Red for MBC. She was a member of Morris Brown College Alumni Association. Phyllis along with her husband, Paul, became members of the Morris Brown College Advocate Club in 2001. This honor is only bestowed on major donors.
This world is truly a dimmer place without Phyllis in it. She believed in treating others the way she wanted to be treated. Anyone who had the honor of knowing her knows that Phyllis was a genuinely helpful soul who had a deep love for people. Her demeanor wasn’t for show or for a pat on the back, it came from the heart. Everyone who came in contact with her felt safe and loved. She welcomed her home, her time, and her talents to anyone who needed it, and she did it selflessly, never asking for anything in return. Phyllis saw all of the pain and suffering this world offers, and she decided to be a constant light. She was a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and an advisor to all who needed it. She wanted everyone to feel wanted and loved. Lalah, her granddaughter heard a song lyric once that she said reminded her of her nana. The lyric read: “the wars would all be over cause she’d raise us all as friends, and no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them. We’d walk on grass that’s greener and our cares would all be freer, if the world had a mother like mine.” Phyllis’s calling in life was much greater than any job she had. Her true calling in life was to spread love, gentleness, wisdom, and acceptance to every soul she encountered.
Phyllis quietly entered into rest on 12-28-2022 at 3:36 am. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lenora Little and Charlie Tatmon Jr., her godparents, Fannie and Ennis Stephens, her Stepfather, David Little Sr., her sister, Dorsie Calvinaur, and her grandparents, Annie and Noel Collins Sr., Louise Collins and Charlie Tatmon Sr., brothers- in- law, Carl (Peter) Lewis and Danny D. Lewis, sister-in-law, Rose Renee Lewis.
Those left to celebrate and cherish her memory are her husband, Paul Lewis, daughters, Melody and Brandy Lewis, four grandchildren, Lalah Lewis (who she raised as her own), Legend Lewis, Jaelyn Samilton and Kash Armour; sisters- in -law and their husbands, Althea and Antonio Altamiranda, Elnora (Love) Maddox, Sherry (Duck) Ursery; brothers- in- law and their wives; Harold and Dr. Mia Lewis, Albert Jr. and Ann Lewis, Phillip and Orinthia Lewis, Alfred and Terri Lewis; nephews, DeShawn (Shawn) and Delon (Dee) Calvinaur; aunts, Florasee (Bibbie) and her husband, Hubert Lee Davis, Juanita Collins, Erma Lee Birdsong and Maurice Domineck; uncles and their wives, Charles and Fannie Collins, James Louis and Marilyn Collins; special cousin, Alton Davis; special sisters, Francenia Johnson and Annie Finch; special brother, Rev. Johnny Morgan; special niece and nephew Dr. Ardra and Dr. Claude Tolbert; one godson, Eric Taylor; a special son, Tauzama Saye; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly; The Collins, Birdsong and Lewis families.
Grissom-Clark Funeral Home. 404-373-3191