Phyllis Littleford Lawrence
Phyllis Littleford Lawrence, age 92, a proud member of the Turtle Cove golfing community in Monticello, GA, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, in Chattanooga, TN.
She was born on May 8, 1932 in Nanticoke, PA. She grew up in Sheatown, PA and after graduating from High School, she moved to Detroit working at Chrysler developing photographic negatives and then at the Henry Ford Hospital mounting slides for doctors.
Phyllis moved to Miami, FL at the invitation of her sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Ted Ling. She lived with Helen and Ted along with their newborn, Charles for a while. As a result, Phyllis and Charles had an exceptionally close relationship that continued until the day she passed.
It is while working at Peoples Gas in Miami that Phyllis met the love of her life, Willard. They married and eventually purchased a home in North Miami Beach, FL where she became a stay at home mom to their sons, Robert and Mark. Once the boys were in school, Phyllis returned to the workplace, working for Federated Department Stores, first Richard’s then Burdine’s. She was able to work part-time in order to be home in the afternoon for her boys.
While in Florida, she enjoyed tending to her garden, bowling, bicycling on a bike built for two, water skiing, and learning to golf. In 1990, she and Willard packed up their belongings and headed to Turtle Cove in Monticello, GA, where she immediately became involved with Monticello First United Methodist Church singing in the choir, as a member of the bereavement committee, and as a member of Methodist Women (later the United Women in Faith).
In Turtle Cove, she taught water aerobics, joined the Turtle Cove Women’s Club, and the Turtle Cove Ladies Golf Association, and in the past few years began playing Bunco.
To say she blossomed once she settled in Georgia is an understatement. Friendships bloomed, her golf improved, and she touched the lives of many. She and Willard often won or placed in the weekly Friday night Twilight Golf, and even after his passing, she was able to continue to play with a couple of different partners and more often than not, she told us they had won or placed! She had a knack for sinking putts, so she was affectionately known as “The Queen of the Green”.
Phyllis was an avid sports fan. Among her favorite teams were the Atlanta Braves, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, and the Georgia Bulldogs. If you walked into her living room though, you would probably find professional golf on the TV. Phyllis worked out with Willard at Piedmont Newton twice a week for over 25 years and when Willard passed away, she continued exercising at home.
Most of all, Phyllis loved her family and cherished the time spent and memories made with them. She was a devoted wife, having been married to Willard for 63 years, and a loving mother to sons, Robert and Mark. She was Grandma to granddaughters, Sofia and Riana, and Grandmama to great-grandson Nolan. Time spent with the grandchildren were most precious to her, and she often reminisced of those moments a lot.
She loved Facetiming with Nolan, being able to see him, talk to him, and hear his voice. While the time has come and her bright light has left us here on Earth, her laughter, great sense of humor, jokes and delicious desserts will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Phyllis has joined her beloved husband Willard, son Robert, her parents, Clyde & Elizabeth Littleford, sisters and brother in-laws Helen & Ted Ling , Gladys & Joe Zapora, brother and sister-in-law Jackie & Pauline Littleford, sister Betty Littleford, and brother Billy Littleford in a heavenly home.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark & Maribeth Lawrence (Ooltewah, TN), granddaughter, Sofia Lawrence (Coral Spring, FL), granddaughter, grandson-in-law and great grandson, Riana, Taylor, and Nolan Lamunyon (Chattanooga, TN), six sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law, that she considered “her own sisters and brother”, many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly, as well as her church family and the multitude of friends in Turtle Cove.
The family would like to thank everyone who wrapped their arms around Phyllis the past two years, especially Brenda King, Jan Schubach, Toni Reese, Beth Taylor, and Manfred Loh – she wouldn’t have made it this far without you! The family also extends gratitude to Piedmont Hospital in Athens, GA, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation (nurses Abby and Jenn) and Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN for doing their best to get her back on her feet, as well as Hospice of Chattanooga for providing a peaceful transition.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College St., Monticello, GA. Visitation will begin at 11am in the church fellowship hall immediately followed by the memorial service in the church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Turtle Cove Ladies Golf Association, c/o Jan Schubach, 606 Mallard Drive, Monticello, GA 31064 or to Monticello First United Methodist Church.
And mom…
“Watch out for the deer, it’s that time of day”.