Phyllis Smith

TAMA-Phyllis Irene Smith, 93, of Tama, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held Friday, April 19, 2024 from 10-11 AM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Phyllis was born on October 17, 1930, in rural Tama, Iowa, the daughter of Glenn and Myrtle (Shuler) Anderson.

Phyllis received her education in a one room country school through the 8th grade at Columbia #9 near their family farm and finished her schooling at the Tama High School.

On March 26, 1955, she was united in marriage to Abner H. Smith in Lancaster, Missouri. Phyllis was employed at the Hill Top Café, Big T-Maid Rite and K’s Café. From there she drove People Rides for Tama County which became Region 6 until she retired from there. After her retirement, she got bored and went back to work at the Tama Post Office doing janitorial work until she finally retired full time.

In all her other spare time, she’d babysit with her grandchildren. Her sisters and her loved to go shopping and eating out together. That’s why we always called her the “Granny on the go.”

She loved dancing, planting flowers, watching and feeding the birds and especially driving her car. But most of all her family was the most important part and thing in her life.

Survivors include one son, Randy K. (LeNita) Smith Sr. of Tama; two grandchildren, Randy (Mary) Smith Jr. of Albion and Seton of Hampton; nine great-grandchildren, Bré Anna, Sierra, Cody, Josie, Randy III, Scottie, Savanna, Isaac and Lyanna; twelve great-great grandchildren; siblings, Shirley (Joe) Moffett of Carrollton, TX, Donna Riffle of Tama and Daniel (Sue) Anderson of Tama; along with several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Abner on December 26, 2001; her grandson, Shawn Smith; two great-great grandchildren; brother, Robert Anderson; and sister, Carleen Hand.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.