Phyllis Ann Smith Posey, born August 19, 1939, went home to heaven on June 22, 2025. She was the daughter of Moses Wesley Smith and Ethel Knowlden Smith. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 33 years Frank H. Posey, Jr., son Benjamin Posey, son-in-law Daniel Bentley, and granddaughter Dana Bentley. She is survived by her children Richard G Starks, Jr. (Lanina), Peggy Bentley, William Posey, and Victoria Posey; as well as her 18 grandchildren and great grandchildren: Richard O Starks (Tara) Hayden, Jed; Timothy Starks (Eileen) Easton, Hudson; Dawn King, Daniel Bentley Jr., Elizabeth Cudebec (Kyle) Robbie, Emily, Kolton; Katherine Womble (Josh) Wyatt, and Theo; Timothy Laugaland, and Hannah Laugaland.

Phyllis was born and raised in Olean, NY where she attended Olean High School. She continued her education at Duke University, and later graduated from Armstrong State College in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She spent the first part of her career working in accounting until she could pursue her true passion, nursing. She loved working as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital for 18 years and even after she retired, she worked part-time for many years in a doctor’s office to keep herself busy and to satisfy her need to care for others. She even nursed several cats and dogs through surprisingly long lives.

She was a loyal and active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church for nearly 50 years serving on the vestry, the Altar Guild, and with the Daughters of the King. She enjoyed many treasured friendships through her church fellowship.

She was an avid traveler, often spoiling her children and grandchildren with adventurous trips and opportunities to make valuable memories together. She loved to be warm in the sunshine and saltwater so she often traveled to the tropics where she could relax and enjoy a romance novel and a glass of good wine in style. 

She was proudly left-handed, fastidious about proper grammar and good manners, and could handle being the butt of a joke with grace and a wry smile. She was a breast cancer survivor, a do-it-yourself-er, and tenaciously resourceful. She was lovingly inquisitive and often concerned about the wellbeing of those around her, earning herself the nickname “Nosy Posey”. Always up for a rousing board game or card game. She would begrudgingly cook, but was always eager to extend her warm hospitality.

She has been greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Her celebration of life service and interment will be held on Monday June 30 @ 10:00 am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Isle of Hope, GA. Reception to follow.