Phyllis Bunch

Phyllis Durham Bunch went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 30 at Maury Regional Hospital.

There will be a celebration of her life on Tuesday evening September 2,
at 7:00 P.M. in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Columbia with Reverend Pete Tackett, Reverend Mike Jarrett , Reverend Mike Dawson and Reverend Arch Warren officiating. The family will visit friends in Faith Hall after the celebration.

Phyllis was born July 2, 1936 in Yosemite, Kentucky. She was the youngest of 13 children. After high school graduation, she attended Berea College for one year. Then she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she met the love of her life, Mel Bunch. They were married on February 12, 1955. Family was her defining joy, best attested by the three children she nurtured: Melinda Bunch Grefseng, Julie Bunch Graham Bauer, and Philip Bunch, as well as those who joined the family by marriage, Melinda's husband, Bob and Phil's wife, Nancy along with Julie's fiancé, Joe Carter. In later years, grandchildren received the blessing of her hospitality and affection. Walker Graham, Emily Graham, Jack Bauer, and Sam Grefseng have lifelong, lifesize memories of their precious Mammaw. The most recent addition to her growing family is Kaylee "Bug" Walton. She is also survived by sisters, Irene Keeys, Marie Wilkerson, Helen Brackett and Faye Carman. She developed a special relationship with Mike and Karen Jarrett and became "honorary grandma" to their family.

As her children matured, Phyllis went back to college and was awarded a degree in Nursing from Columbia State Community College. Over the years she worked as a nurse at Maury Regional Hospital, various nursing homes, dialysis clinics, and in home health. Her true calling was found at Hospice of the Highland Rim where she dedicated numerous hours to the patients who needed her most. She received great personal satisfaction helping those patients and families facing end of life issues. She also served as a mentor for many of the nurses and staff at Hospice while working there, giving them insight on how to best serve their families in their care. Many of these professionals ministered to Phyllis and her family during her last days.

She was a very active member of First Baptist Church in Columbia since 1971 when her family moved to Columbia. She has been involved in many of the ministries there, including a prayer group that has been meeting for about 23 years. As an active part of the Seniors Group, she went on many mission trips to East Tennessee and also ministered to people in Columbia, providing food, prayers, and listening ear in times of crisis.

Phyllis loved to work in her yard and garden. She particularly enjoyed sharing the vegetables she grew with her neighbors and friends.

The family would like to specifically thank the medical team that made this last week bearable for Phyllis and those close to her: Dr. Ben Gardner and Tere Gardner, Dr. Thomas Quinn, Allison Pigg, Stephen Hultgren, Julie Pusser, Pat Woodard, Amy Skidmore, Sam Whitwell, Candice Campbell, Melissa Hughes, Susie Dale, and Jackie Spires.

Instead of Flowers, please honor her with a memorial to one of her favorite ministries: Kingdom Initiative at First Baptist Church, 2790 Pulaski Hwy, Zion Christian Academy, 6901 Old Zion Road, or Hospice of the Highland Rim, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, all of Columbia.

Williams Funeral Home of Columbia is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.williamsfh.com .