Obituary of Phyllis Myers Brown

Phyllis Myers Brown, 94, of Newark, Delaware, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 in Sedona, Arizona. Her memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Berean Baptist Church, 2 Holcomb Lane, New Castle, Delaware 19720. Phyllis was born on June 24, 1923 in Salem, NJ, the daughter of Alvin and Norma Myers, and was raised in Alloway. She was preceded in death by her former husband Albert Bell, son Ephriam Bell, daughter Norma Bell and four brothers, William, Irwin, Jack, and Normn Myers. She is survived by her brother, Alvin Myers, Jr.; six children, Jacqueline Dodd; Sharon Gant(Francis); Thomas Bell (Linda); Phyllis "Tootie" Neeves (Robert); Kathleen Mahoney (Edward); Beverly Bell; 22 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren; 27 great great grandchildren, and her dear friend Debbie Good. Phyllis formerly owned and operated the Modern Music Studio in Pennsville, NJ where she taught many young people to play piano, accordion, and organ. She organized and directed an accordion orchestra that performed at military bases for th USO, New Jersey conventions, and Salem County parades. She also owned and managed the Charlesworth Hotel and restaurant in Fortesque, NJ which was well known for its seafood cuisine. Phyllis was gifted with the ability to master the piano as a young child, and at the age of 14 she began playing piano for services in her church. When she finally retired in 2016, the Berean Baptist Church congregation presented her with a special music appreciation award for 30 years of dedicated service at that church. She directed the choir, played piano and organ for both morning and evening church serices, and she also directed the annual Christmas and Easter choir cantatas. She loved working with her church family. Phyllis possessed the gifted ability to improvise and embellish musical pieces which allowed her to play classical, contemporary, gospel, and country music. She will be dearly missed, but her music will continue to play within those who have known and loved her. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be made to the Berean Baptist Church, P.O. Box 556, New Castle, Delaware 19720.