Phyllis May Churchill, 89, of Tryon Estates passed away quietly in her sleep on Sept. 3, 2011 at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills. She was born Dec. 1, 1921 in Romeo, Mich., daughter of Perry and May Griggs.
The family had a peach orchard at Mt. View Orchards in Romeo and she and her sisters, Helen and Eleanor, were known as the Three Peaches.
Phyllis earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and was a school teacher for special needs children.
She married Allen Churchill in 1943. They were famous for making music together, especially playing a duet of Chopsticks on the piano.
Many summer weekends were spent on Union Lake in Michigan. Vacations were spent at their cottage on an island in McGregor Bay, Canada.
For many years, Phyllis and Al lived in Millford, Mich.
After retirement, they moved to Etowah, N.C., and thoroughly embraced the southern lifestyle and mountains.
Phyllis was very active in her churches in Millford, Brevard and Tryon.
She was known for her love of her family. She also treasured her nieces and nephews and their children.
Her family and friends will remember her as a generous hostess. She always made sure there was more than enough on the table and that her home was decorated for the occasion.
She was preceded in death by her son, Greg. She is survived by her husband, Allen; sisters, Helen Gurley and Eleanor Bannister; nephews, David Churchill (Diane), Robert Bannister, David (Debbie) Bannister; nieces Nancy (Arnold) Dzick, Helen Mudry, Susan (Michael) Loveman and Collette Mak; and cousins, Alice Rennalls and Byron Carpenter.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Tryon Estates.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills,  270 Fairwinds Road, Landrum, S.C. 29356.