Phyllis Gilland Reneau of Ellijay, Georgia peacefully passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the age of 89. She was born November 27, 1934 to James Commodore Gilland  and Alice Pauline Headrick in Townsend, Tennessee.  Preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Wilford Henderson Reneau of Ellijay, Georgia and her sister June Fay Rogers of Maryville, Tennessee.

She was survived by her daughter Kimberly Reneau Chester and son-in-law Robert Lee Chester of Ellijay Georgia, son Barry Wilford Reneau and daughter-in-law Deirdre Gallagher Reneau of Greensboro Georgia and grandchildren Jennifer, Katie, Megan, Jack, Charles, Henry and Mae-Mae and great grandchildren Cooper, Madelyn, Caylen, Brooklyn, Addilyn, Jadon, Bryson, Cannon and Palmer.  She is also survived by sister Evelyn Gilland Howard  and brother in law Don Lee Howard of Ellijay Georgia and brother James Commodore Gilland Jr. and sister in law Linda Alton Gilland.

After graduating from University of Tennessee with a degree in Home Economics in 1955, she began a teaching career that spanned over thirty years.  Phyllis then went on to work for the State of Tennessee Disability Services Department where she was awarded the Associate Commissioners Citation and the Quality Assurance Reviewer of the Year awards.  She retired from the state of Tennessee in 1996.

In retirement, Phyllis continued to be devoted to the Lord Jesus with her focus was on serving others.  She spent several years involved in Women's Prison Ministry assisting in leading a bible study for women who were incarcerated.  She also volunteered in her church library, but  her passion was sewing prayer quilts for others in hospitals, nursing homes, bed ridden at home or anyone needing comfort.  Her love of sewing began when her mother taught her to sew doll clothes at the age of 5.  She never passed up an opportunity to teach her craft to others whether it be her students at school, friends at church, daughter, daughter-in-law, grand daughters or great grand daughters.

Phyllis was honored and respected by all who knew her.  Her gentle love and compassion touched so many lives as she spread the Gospel by example.  The love she showed to those around her will be sorely missed by those that loved her.

Mrs. Reneau will lie-in-state at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church from 2:00 p.m. until the funeral hour of 3:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Ellijay Georgia with Rev. Dan Rosser officiating.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday May 20, 2024 at the East Maryville Baptist Church Cemetery in Maryville, Tenn., with the Rev. Eric Mansfield officiating.

Pallbearers were Barry Reneau, Charles Reneau, Henry Reneau, Bob Chester, Eric Mansfield, Cooper Mansfield and Kyle Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wears Valley Ranch (wvr.org) or mailed to Wears Valley Ranch , 100 One Fine Place, Sevierville, TN 37862.  Wears Valley Ranch provides Christian family homes, education and counseling to children in crisis situations.

Condolences can be made at www.bernhardtfh.com .

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.