Phyllis was born August 3, 1948 in Quitman, GA. She was the oldest child of the late Oliver Pearson & Mattie Aikens Bowles. Phyllis transitioned from this life on June 11, 2023 in Tampa, FL.

Phyllis was married for 20 years to the late Reverend Theodore Andrews. As his wife and partner, she was the beloved First Lady to many churches throughout Florida.

Phyllis was kind, gentle, and dedicated to the Lord. She started her Christian journey at High Antioch AME Church in Madison, FL where she served many positions, including the youth leader, senior usher and member of the missionary society. For the past thirteen years, Phyllis was a devoted member of St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where she worked tirelessly as a servant and a leader in the Senior Womens Missionary organization at the local, state and national levels.

Phyllis attended various schools in Madison County Florida. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL and post-graduate education at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA.

Phyllis was an influential educator to many. She taught in Brooks County, GA and Tampa, FL for many years. She loved working with children of all ages and impacted the lives of many students.

Phyllis was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was active in her community, volunteered and held various leadership positions in other organizations.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

~ Act 20:35

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver & Rubye Pearson, Jr. and Eardene & Mattie Aikens Bowles.

Phyllis is survived by her siblings Dr. Stanley Pearson of Phoenix, AZ, George Pearson (Michelle) of St. Petersburg, FL, Vanessa Hughes (Jesse) of Fredonia, NY and Marvella Bowles-Brown (Anthony) of Atlanta, GA; two bonus daughters, Lula Andrews of Pensacola, FL, Beatrice Andrews James (Anthony) of Pensacola, FL; one niece, Oliva Pearson of New York, NY, and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation
Friday, June 16, 2023
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
St. John Progressive MB Church
2504 Chipco St
Tampa, FL 33605

Traditional Funeral Service
Friday, June 16, 2023
10:30 AM - 12:15 PM
St. John Progressive P.B. Church
2504 Chipco Street
Tampa, FL 33605

Burial
Monday, June 19, 2023
10:30 AM
Oak Ridge Cemetery
394 NW Meeting Avenue
Madison, FL