Phyllis Ruth Smith Tolbert

Mrs. Phyllis Ruth Smith Tolbert, 85, of Mount Airy, passed away Thursday morning, May 16, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.  Mrs. Tolbert was born December 3, 1938, in Surry County, one of eight children born to the late Joe S. and Nannie Bell Hall Smith.  Phyllis grew up in the Pipers Gap community and graduated from Franklin High School.  She worked at Spencer’s Inc. in her early adult life, and then later she worked as a child nutrition worker at Franklin Elementary School for many years.  Phyllis and her late husband, Troy, were two of the founding members of Victory Baptist Church.  Upon the church’s establishment, the congregation met in the basement of Troy and Phyllis’ house.  With a servant’s heart, she devoted her life to the Kingdom’s work through her church.  She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Shaytonya Tolbert; three grandchildren, Briley Ryan Tolbert, Bridget Crist, and Ilah Ruth Tolbert; a sister, Clara Smith Berrier; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Silas Junior and Margaret Smith and Eva Smith; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Tolbert was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Washington Tolbert; a daughter, Linda Gayle Tolbert Crist; a son, Billy Wayne Tolbert; a grandson, Richard Lee Crist, Jr.; three infant sisters, Carrie Smith, Katherine Smith, and Iris Smith; two brothers, Calvin J. Smith and Hersel G. Smith; and a brother-in-law, J.C. Berrier.  A service of worship and celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Victory Baptist Church, with Dr. Joey Jessup and Pastor Chad Edwards officiating.  Burial will follow in the Booker-Busick-Smith Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Victory Baptist Church.  Her body will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.