Tribute to Phyllis Jones

January 8, 2010

Some people blend into the scenery; others couldn’t hide if they wanted to. Phyllis Jones’ unique personality and skills commanded notice.

Cheryl and I had arrived in Kansas City in January of 1971, appropriately in the middle of a huge blizzard that shut down the city. I was the pastor over student ministries and Phyllis was already established as a key figure, a sincere young woman heading to Bible College. Even then, her wonderfully quirky sense of humor and easy laugh set her apart.

Phyllis would hold numerous jobs and positions over the years, but her dedication to education would distinguish her as much as anything. Many in the Kansas City area will remember her for the years she was principal of Tri-City Christian School. Some years ago Phyllis returned to KCBT and eventually served in several capacities on our staff, most recently as administrative assistant to our executive pastor over ministry, Tim Mensendiek.

Her fertile mind, creativity and analytical abilities made her a valuable team member. Her people skills, love and humor endeared her to everyone. No one ever forgot her or failed to notice her. Over the years, a passion sprung up within her to mentor young women. She touched more lives than I suppose we will ever know.

Phyllis fought several health issues during her life, but the past couple of years were rough. She was in and out of the hospital several times. Those of us who knew her well were concerned for her, and she seemed herself to sense something was wrong. Last Tuesday she was diagnosed with an aggressive liver cancer. This evening at 6:05 she quietly slipped into eternity. We will miss her terribly. We rejoice that her suffering is no more.

Pray for her family and pray for us, her church staff family. We spend a lot of time together and become as close as flesh and blood in many ways. I’m sure many of you have experienced the death of co-workers, but incredibly this is the first time in the 25 years I have been senior pastor here that we have suffered the death of an active co-worker. So, this is a new experience for us and one that will stretch us a bit. We will trust God, and we will go forward, but we will always love and miss Phyllis.

Carole Thomason

I’m sorry for the family loss. I did not know Phyllis personally but notice her around the church. This is a poem from Helen Rice, “That even death in God’s hands is not a cause for grieving
But a time for joy in knowing death is just a stepping-stone
To a life that’s everlasting such as we have never known.

To the family know that those who care about you and sharing in your loss. God bless her family remember the special times of her life and celebrate.
Mark Morgan

I was blessed to work with Phyllis when she filled in a couple years ago in the childrens ministry. She made it a whole year working side by side with me. I know her strength. I too will miss her greatly. The sorrow I have is not that she has gone home to be with the Lord, it’s because I now have to wait to see her again
Cindy Kimray

I am so sorry to hear this…she was someone that I always looked for to say HI to. We shared a Discipleship trip to Denver years ago, I believe in 1994. She was a fearful flier that happened to be sitting next to me. My Dad is a pilot, and I have been flying all my life. I explained to her every sound the plane was making and what we were about to do. It was kind of funny & we laughed about it later, she had a seat next to me on the return flight as well and mentioned how thankful she was the Lord put us together for those flights. Now, her spiritual bags are packed for a flight home that will be even MORE amazing and AWESOME! A one way flight to see her LORD & Savior! What a way to start the new year! Phyllis, my dear sweet friend…you will be missed, but I know that I will see you in Heaven again! Thank you for your life and love for the Savior and your service and your friendship! Jeff, please pass my thoughts and prayers to her family & friends. I am in New Mexico and unable to attend, but would love for you to share this story for me. God Bless her sweet spirit & her family. We are so lucky to have known her & blessed to call her a Siser in Christ!
Shannon Driscoll

Ms Jones as I knew her, was my principal when I attended Tri City back in the mid to late seventies. At the time I did not like her. The main reason is because she administered swats to me. Now as I am older I never remember her smiling or being to happy giving them out. Just the opposite. I also can now admit I deserved every one of them. Recently thru fb I found my friend Wendy who told me she worked with Ms Jones at KCBT. So on a whim I sent out flowers to her and Wendy for two deserving ladies and wrote a note to Ms Jones telling her I hoped her battle with cancer was over. She wrote me a very sweet and kind letter thanking me and saying she didn’t remember me being so bad. I had a big smile on my face and all the silly past was gone in an instant. I knew I was wrong before the note. LOL I was just glad I got to reunite and catch up with her these last few months. I am glad her suffering is over and I try to live my life with the kindness that she showed me and all of us here. That would be a great tribute to a very deserving woman.
Fawn J. Collins

My prayers are with Phyllis’ family and the KCBT family. When a member of our congregation passes on, we feel an empty void because they too were a part of our family. However, we know they have just crossed to the other side and are waiting on each of use to make that transition, so we can be in the everlasting presence of our heavenly Father and ….This ole’ body goes to sleep, but we are actually truly beginning to live in our new glorified body. No more sickness, bills or stress. Hey and you know what? We get to live in that mansion, that was fully paid for by our Lord and Savior; our Holy Redeemer!!
Till Carlson-Korth

I had the great privelege of being discipled by Phyllis and she became one of my dearest friends. Phyllibus loved life and spent all her days loving those whom God had placed in her path. I had the opportunity to spend Sunday morning with Phyll the week before Christmas, I was so looking forward to going to church with her at KCBT. I arrived at her house and found she was unable to attend. We had a great morning together, she didn’t puke once, ha. She told me about the work of the ministry under which she was serving and how a great ship takes a long time to turn. She was pleased she was part of the turning force. Keep turning that ship Tim, I know you will understand this. Phyll was one of a kind, they sure broke the mold making her. She had I had wondrous adventures together and while I had moved back to Iowa a few years ago she and I stayed in touch. I got to share with her that God was teaching me about his enormous capacity to love. I spoke with her on the phone last week…..she told me she was scared…I said “Phyllis God loves you and so do I”. She told me, with that wonderful bright smile, “God loves you too Till”………….till we meet again Ms Phyllis, may I share love with those around me in the same way you shared yourself. We will miss you my friend.
Patty Peters

Thank you, Bro. Jeff, for such a wonderful tribute to a special lady. We went to BBC together and one summer went on a SMITE trip together to Mexico. Phyllis had spent the night at my house and as usual, spent half the night talking! When my mom came in to wake us up with just minutes to get up to the church, we were just sure we wouldn’t make that trip but, praise the Lord, they were just calling our names when we stepped out of the car! Wonderful memories! We had lost contact over the years and just reconnected recently. I was so shocked at the news but know she is with the Lord whom she loved and served. Praying that the memorial service will be uplifting and celebrate a unique person.
Rita Hurd

Pastor Adams,
My husband and I served with Phyllis during her time as principal at TC. We heard the memorial service is the 13th. We currently live in Northern Virginia and will not be able to attend the service but we were wondering if a memorial has been set up in remembrance of her? Our entire family was blessed by Phyllis’s ministry at TC. She was a wonderful person.

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

Thanks for the great question, Rita. I’m sorry to say that I do not know. The person to contact would be Tim Mensendiek, tmensendiek@kcbt.org. He can fill you in on the details. I would love to ask him for you, but I am on my way out of the country for a couple of weeks. Blessings to you!

Darla Miller

I did not know Phyllis personally, but still—news of her passing away was a big shock. i found out the morning of 1/9/10. I’m very sorry to hear of her passing and my love and prayers go out to her family and to our church staff. I know she was Tim’s assistant for quite awhile so……..hang in there tim and emily. it will help to rejoice over the fact that she’s in a much better place….w/our Lord!!! Love you all, Darla and Kevin
http://maggieeast@marykay.com Maggie

Thank you Jeff for writting about her. Phyllis was David’s principal at Tricity when he first met her. I got the opportunity to meet her very soon when I arrived at KCBT in 1988. She certainly make me feel family and welcome. I was so used to see her at church that it is hard to imagine church without her. I am certainly glad she is with The Lord, I will miss her, but what a better place to be! She shared with my mom the same “door to heaven”, like my mom put it (Liver cancer)
Donna Kuck

Wow, Jeff – so many important people in our lives leaving in such a short space of time. I’m still not over your Dad’s passing. I have his picture on my desktop – a picture of Bob and Helen both. I see them everytime I turn on my computer.

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

That’s sweet, Donna. You are on our hearts as well. BTW, you have a copy of grandfather’s genealogical study on the way!

Dolores Foutts

I remember Phyllis from the old church, she was always smiling and a very busy lady, although we did not make meet each other then, but I heard about her, sorry to hear about her passing, but I know she is much happier where she is and the many lives she has touched, then I had the privilege of meeting here at the present church, still smiling, I remember once when we were serving the pastors lunch she told me to go tell Tim he as doing a great job, she said tell him Dolores, he will love it, I did. I am so thankful I had the privilege of meeting and working with her. John 147 1-3 Dolores foutts
Aletia

Beautiful tribute, Pastor. Shortly after I met Ms Phyllis, she told me she wanted to help build up female leadership in the church. I don’t know what she saw in me, but she touched my life in ways she’ll probably never know and always challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. She was a wonderful servant and I miss her dearly.
Eric Phillips

As I was reading your note I found it hard to believe at first. I just finished the Deeper International Counseling Course on Marriage offered fall of 2009 and Phyllis was the facilitator. You are right about her personality! It was always fun coming to class and seeing her there with a bright smile and wonderful sense of humor. You all have my prayers and those of Midtowns.

Love,

Eric

Jeff Adams

Tribute to Phyllis Jones