Phyllis M. Smith, devoted to church, its missions

THERE WASN'T much activity around the Voice of Deliverance Worship Center that Phyllis M. Smith wasn't involved in.

One of her missions was to help care for the poor and the desperate. That included not only providing food and clothing for the needy of her own city, but also organizing relief efforts for earthquake-devastated Haiti.

That is, when she was not pestering her pastor with persistent questions about faith and Scripture.

Phyllis Smith, a devoted family matriarch who was also active in educational programs in the community, died of cancer June 24. She was 58 and lived in Oak Lane.

She was born in Philadelphia, the fifth of the 10 children of Harry L. and Ethel L. Bias, and attended public schools. She married the late Waverly Smith.

Her first church experience was at St. Mark's Lutheran, Broad Street and Chelten Avenue. She later moved to Fern Rock Baptist at 6712 N. Broad, before going to Voice of Delverance Worship Center at 69th Street and Old York Road.

There she came under the influence of the Rev. Luther M. Chambers, whom she bombarded with what her family said were a "zillion" questions about their religion.

Phyllis was a Sunday school teacher, coordinated the vacation Bible School and took care of church maintenance.

She also found time to volunteer her services to the Ellwood Elementary School, at 6701 N. 13th St., and was active in the Beacon After School Program.

"Phyllis was devoted and very missionary-minded in her church," her family said. "Phyllis loved to read books and sing nonstop."

Her favorite hymn was "I'm So Glad the Lord Saved Me":

If it had not been for Jesus

where would I be?

About 20 years ago, Phyllis met Willie D. Moore, who became her devoted caregiver during her illness. They were the primary guardians for Aria and Armani Anderson.

She also is survived by two sons, Brian and Derek; a daughter, Trena; a step-daughter, Tianna Moore; five sisters, Gwendolyn Winckler, Margaretta Lipscomb, Bernadine Holeman, Rosalyn Bias-Coard and Lynetta Bias; two brothers, Harry Bias Jr. and Anthony Bias, and 11 grandchildren.

Services: Were Thursday. Burial was in Northwood Cemetery, 15th and Haines streets.