Phyllis M. (Stultz) Hamilton Brown
DECEMBER 29, 1935 – MAY 6, 2023
Phyllis Stultz Hamilton Brown, 87, went to be with the Lord in her heavenly home on May 6, 2023, with her family by her side. Phyllis devoted her entire life to caring for and loving her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She spent her life serving others, taking care of those who were sick or in need, and showing unconditional love.
Phyllis was born on December 29, 1935, to Carl and Beatrice Stultz, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Phyllis graduated from Fontanet High School in 1953. She married Bobby Joe Hamilton on October 9, 1954, and they had three daughters. Phyllis spent decades working as Chief Deputy in the Vigo County Assessor’s Office and retired in 1998. She spent many years farming with her father, Carl and her husband, Bob. Phyllis was very proud of the strength she gained and the lessons she learned from farming.
After Bob’s unexpected death in 1986, Phyllis became the family matriarch, guiding her family with strength and love. In 1989, Phyllis married Malcolm Brown and added four additional adult daughters to her family. Throughout Phyllis’ life she enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and caring for those she loved.
Phyllis was an original member of the Mt. Aetna Baptist Church and remained a loyal member serving the Lord for 62 years. She played the piano and organ at Mt. Aetna and raised her children and grandchildren in the church. In 2011, Phyllis and her family joined Cross Lane Community Church.
Phyllis loved spending time with her daughters, taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was fondly known as Grandma Phylli. She enjoyed cooking, working in her house and garden, planning parties and events, and traveling. She loved planning large family meals, and was famous for her chicken and noodles, vegetable soup and zucchini bread. She had a strong work ethic and would be the first to volunteer to help any time there was a project or job to be done.
Phyllis was greeted in heaven by her parents, Carl and Beatrice Stultz; her husband and father of her children, Bob Hamilton; her second husband, Malcolm Brown; her beloved daughter, Kimberly Poppell; and sisters, Lucille VanHook and Norma Jean VanHook.
Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Cathy Handlin (Garry) and Kelly Brown (Scott); son-in-law, Shane Poppell; grandchildren, Bobbi Prose (Bob), Angie Guevara, Garry Handlin (Mary), Holly Reedy (Anthony), Trey Ellis, Amber Reece (Devin), Lee Poppell, AnnaBella Poppell, Shayna Poppell Murphy (Shawn), Tiffany Yarbrough (DJ), Jessie Brown Kamacharov (Georgi), and Zachary Tate; great-grandchildren, Taylor Moore (Ross), Alison Prose, Nicholas Guevara, Nathan Prose, Chloe Guevara, Jacob Handlin, Zachary Guevara, Brody Handlin, Kate Reedy, Max Reedy, Reid Handlin, Claire Reedy, Jackson Reece, Maggie Reece, Bo Ellis, Elliot Reece, Makinley Lambert, and Beckett Yarbrough; and one great-great grandchild, baby boy Moore due in October 2023.
Phyllis was also survived by step-daughters, LeeAnn Dephue , Bonnie Glasgow (Bruce), Kerry Elgar (Richard), Laura Lashbrooks (Curtis Jackson); step-grandchildren, Anthony Dephue, Mason Glasgow (Tami), Jake Glasgow (Kristina); step great-grandchildren James Glasgow, Danielle Glasgow, Emma Gwynn, Ben Wright, Camron Jackson, Colin Jackson.
Her legacy of love and her giving soul will live on in the generations to follow.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11th from 4pm-8pm at Mattox-Wood Funeral Home, 4660 Lafayette Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana 47805. Funeral services will be at the funeral home on Friday, May 12th at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Roselawn Memorial Park.
