Phyllis M. Nalley

Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church in Vandalia, Missouri.
Officiating will be: Rev. Jeffrey Mims.
Music provided by: church choir.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers: William Overton, Justin Overton, Elmo Overton, Ronnie Greene, Dareyl Nalley and Robert "Robbie" Holman.

Phyllis M. (Essex) Nalley passed away at 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at her home in Vandalia, Missouri. She was a 1940 gradute of Lincoln High School in Vandalia, Missouri. Phyllis then attended Western Baptist Seminary College in Kansas City of one year. She was a 1942 graduate of Madame C. J. Walker's School of Cosmetology in Kansas City. Phyllis worked as a part-time beautician out of her home for many years along with being a full-time homemaker. She had also worked for several years at the Human Development Corporation in Mexico, Missouri. She lived most of her life in Vandalia and was a longtime member of the Second Baptist Church. Phyllis also enjoyed sewing, doing alterations for friends, gardening, cooking and for 12 years participated in the Foster Grandparenting Program at the Van-Far Schools. She had also been named the Citizen of the Year in Vandalia in 1999.

Born: September 6, 1922 in Vandalia, Missouri the daughter of Charles Benjamin and Ben Ella (Meadows) Essex.

Married: Robert Allen Nalley on June 21, 1965 in Vandalia, Missouri; he preceded her in death on November 24, 1996.

Survivors include: one daughter, Gaile T. and husband, Taron Johnson of Grain Valley, Missouri; one granddaughter: Nicole T. Johnson of Kansas City; a host of nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: one brother: Roy Glen Sutton; seven sisters: Velma Alexander, Eunice Holman, Elizabeth Kincade, Gussie Ware, Pearl Hardin, Grace Clay and Myrtle Williams.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Second Baptist Church, 314 S. Taylor, Vandalia, Missouri 63382.