Phyllis Rose Smith

August 18, 2020

Phyllis Rose Smith, 81, of La Belle, Mo., died August 11, 2020 in the home of her daughter.  Phyllis was the daughter of William and Ora Miller House.  She was the youngest of three children, herself, Suetta, and Paul.  Phyllis attended school at La Belle High School, and was a star basketball player, averaging 32 points per game her junior year of high school.  Phyllis first married Omer Shannon Sr., and of this marriage came three children, Penny, Omer Jr., and Paul.  She later married Donald Smith, and of this marriage came two children, Desirae and Brandy.  Phyllis worked many jobs throughout her life, Levering Hospital, Mark Twain Dinette, and La Belle Manor Care Center, from which she retired after 15 years.  She served on the La Belle City Council for many years as an alderman.  She was an avid basketball fan, particularly the Boston Celtics, she loved Larry Bird.  She continued to watch basketball at every level, but she truly enjoyed watching her granddaughter, Meredith, play.
She is survived by her 5 children, Penny (Woody) Watson of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Omer Shannon Jr. (Jackie) of Quincy, Illinois, Paul Shannon (Debra) of Quincy, Illinois, Desirae (Philip) O’Neal of Shelbina, Missouri, and Brandy (Sparky) Avant of Johnsonville, South Carolina.  She is also survived by 9 grandchildren:  Cynthia, Nathan, Josh, Cory, Lane, Meredith, Ethan, Donavon, and Caitlin.  She also has 3 great grandchildren:  Declan, Inara, and Isaac., and one step great grandchild, Lilli. 
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Omer Sr., second husband, Donald, her brother, and her sister. 
Services were held at Coder Funeral Home in La Belle, Missouri on August 15, 2020 with visitation preceding services. Pastor Paul Harvey officiated. Music: Nancy Reardon and Lisa Bowen. Casket bearers: Philip O’Neal, Ethan O’Neal, Josh Shannon, Cory Shannon, Sparky Avant and Donavon Avant. Honorary bearers will be Meredith O’Neal, Caitlin Avant, Lane Shannon, Declan Shannon, Cynthia McDougald, Nathan Watson and Lilli Hankins
Burial was in La Belle Cemetery next to her husband Donald.

Memorials are suggested to the family.