Glade Spring, Virginia

Phyllis Fay Jessee, age 79, passed away at Johnston Memorial Hospital on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Phyllis was a mother not only to her own family, but to just about everyone she met. Her door was always open to anyone in need, whether they needed a helping hand or simply someone willing to listen. She carried a gentle and kind heart, never speaking negatively about anyone. She and Conrad were truly inseparable, so much so that many lovingly knew them as "Con and Phil" or "Philly Nilly." One of the first things people noticed about Phyllis was her beautiful sky-blue eyes, but it was her warmth and love that people remembered most. When she wasn't spending time with her family, she enjoyed cross-stitching, search-a-word, and riding around in the golf cart. More than anything, Phyllis loved to travel. In true Phyllis fashion, she always kept a bag packed and could be out the door in five minutes or less, sometimes heading off for weeks or even months at a time. If there had been a vehicle heading somewhere, she jokingly might have climbed in with a stranger if it meant she could be on the road. Along her travels, she made memories in Mexico, where she swore she would never eat refried beans again, along with California, New Orleans, Niagara Falls, Florida, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and her home away from home, Nashville. No matter where life took her, Phyllis made sure people knew they were loved. She never missed an opportunity to say, "I love you," offer a hug, or simply hold someone's hand. She is deeply missed and forever loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Elwood Jessee; daughter, Melissa Jeanette Garcia; father, Harley (Thelma) Cannon; mother, Josephine Urbani Cannon; three brothers; two sisters; and grandson, Aaron Deel.

Those left to cherish Phyllis's memory include her son, Dewey Jessee (Tammy); three daughters, Becky Shortridge (Rusty), Cindy Jessee Deel, and Amanda Mitchell (Derek); son-in-law, Luis "Shorty" Garcia; brothers, David, Timmy, and Charlie Cannon; sisters, Linda Steffey and Brenda Caywood; nine grandchildren, Kristie Powers (Aaron), Avery Jessee, Santana Miller (Brian), Isaac Jessee, Piper Stuart, Luis Garcia, Chelsea Stuart, Brianna Stuart, Caitlyn Garrett (Peyton), Drew Shortridge (Laura), and Samantha Head (Casey); fourteen great-grandchildren, Ava, Addison, and Jaxton Powers; Cali, Wyatt, and Mattie Jessee; Nolan and Myles Miller; Tate and Sadie Shortridge; Amelia and Clara Garrett, and Tucker and Sutton Head; special nephews, Joe Cannon and Wayne "Peanut" Cannon; special friends, Steve Herndon and Ralph Baldwin; and her dog that she loved so much, Baby.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, 10069 Crescent Road, Glade Spring, VA 24340, with Pastor Kenneth Poston officiating. Family and friends are asked to be at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. for procession.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to D.R. Henderson Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

Serving as pallbearers will be Aaron Powers, Brian Miller, Avery Jessee, Casey Head, Drew Shortridge, and Derek Mitchell, with Luis Garcia and Isaac Jessee serving as honorary pallbearers.

Online condolences may be expressed at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Phyllis Fay Jessee.