Phyllis Love

Phyllis Love December 14, 1946 ~ October 2, 2023 Phyllis lived a life of love, dedication, and service. Phyllis Smith was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her mother Agnes Smith was born on the family farm in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Her father Arthur Smith was a barber and the oldest of nine children. Phyllis cut tobacco as a child, part of their North Carolina farming legacy that dates back over two centuries. Phyllis' mother Agnes waited four years for her husband Arthur to return home from World War II. Phyllis' father Arthur served in the Navy aboard the Queen Elizabeth transporting wartime troops. Phyllis' sister Cindy was a nurse and still lives near Holly Springs with her husband Charlie and their children Jessica and Carrie. Phyllis received two master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and Florida State University. She had an esteemed career as a librarian. Phyllis married Roy Rowe, a professor and school administrator with a doctorate from Duke University. They have a daughter Cathy Rowe DeLaney, and a granddaughter Catherine. Phyllis Love was married for 23 wonderful years to Jim Love. Jim was a brilliant economist, professor, and banker in upstate New York. Jim earned a doctorate in economics in Oklahoma where he grew up with his three brothers, Rodney, Terry, and Joe. Phyllis was very close to all the Love family, including Jim's children, Leigh and Robert. Phyllis and Jim lived in Valdosta, Georgia and Summerfield, Florida, and loved to travel to the United Kingdom. Phyllis tended her garden and was an astute observer of news, current events, and history. When Jim passed away Phyllis moved with her mother Agnes from Holly Springs to Spanish Fort, Alabama. Agnes and Phyllis treasured her mother's long life together in Spanish Fort to the age of 101. Phyllis enjoyed a decade in Spanish Fort with her daughter Cathy DeLaney, son-in-law Robin, granddaughter Catherine, and Cleo, Will, Hollis and Jaye. A gentle lady of selfless love, Phyllis slipped away quickly and quietly to cancer and alzheimer’s at age 76. A private service will be held October 14, 2023, in Spanish Fort, Alabama. Phyllis Love embodied love, caring for her family, relatives and friends from North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Alabama. Her legacy of four generations of spirited, kind, bright, generous, and loving ladies, Agnes, Phyllis, Cathy and Catherine, continues. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 US HWY 98 DAPHNE, AL 251-625-2900