Phyllis Anne was born to James Aaron Mitcham and Helen Ruth Mitcham on August 12, 1939 at Columbia Hospital in Washington, DC.  She was the oldest of her three siblings: James Walter Mitcham, Elaine Ruth Mitcham and Paul Aaron Mitcham.

Phyllis attended Burrville Elementary School while growing up in Washington DC.  After her father received a ministerial call on his life, the Mitcham family moved to Princeton, New Jersey where she attended Princeton High School and graduated with honors.  The family later moved to Detroit, Michigan where she attended Wayne State University.  It was there she met and married Robert Johnson Smitherman (1963) and they had one daughter, Debra Lynn Smitherman, born October 30, 1966.  In 1966, Robert Smitherman obtained employment with RJ Reynolds which moved the family to Yonkers, NY and finally to Winston Salem, NC in 1972.

Phyllis was a strong believer in higher education and, after volunteering as a special education teacher's assistant at Walkertown Elementary School, she strived to complete her college degree and registered as a student at UNC-Greensboro where she graduated with honors with a degree in Early Childhood Development.  It wasn't long before she was employed in High Point under the Smart Start Program teaching pre-school children, directing and training teachers, speaking at educational workshops and supervising day care centers for over twenty years. She had a strong love and passion for pre-school aged children and enjoyed teaching them as well as being an advocate for those children in need – ensuring each child that she came in contact with had an equal opportunity for education and a healthy start towards learning.

Phyllis was a true music lover enjoying many genres of music including classical, musicals, pop music and R&B.  She was an excellent seamstress sewing wardrobes of clothes for herself, her husband and her daughter; she also enjoyed crochet, knitting and macramé.   She was known for her contagious laughter, beautiful smile, classy style, strong work ethic and no tolerance for ignorance.  She was very close to her daughter, Debra, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Phyllis Anne was called home to be with the LORD on Saturday, November 9, 2019 while residing at the Danby House.  She was preceded in death by her mother Helen Mitcham, father James Aaron Mitcham and brother James Walter Mitcham.  She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Debra Pauling (Kevin), sister Elaine Ruth Wynn, brother Paul Aaron Mitcham, Grandchildren: Candice Kelly (Antonio), Jasmine Belk and Jahria Pauling, Great-grandchildren: Antonio Kelly Jr., Alijah Kelly and Avaela Kelly, and a host of family members and friends.

For the special care and love given to Phyllis during her illness, the family wants to acknowledge and send a very special thank you to : Centenary United Methodist Church-DAYbreak Respite Care,  Alisa Manns, Trellis Hospice Care of Winston Salem and the memory care staff and residents of The Danby House.

The family would like to thank Bishop James C. Hash, Sr. and Lady Joyce Hash and the entire St. Peter's World Outreach Family for your many years of prayers and support and for showing so much love to Phyllis while she was able to attend St. Peter's World Outreach Center services.

A memorial service for Phyllis Anne Mitcham Cannon will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Winston Salem at the Columbarium on Friday, December 6 ^th , 2019 at 1:00 pm.

Thank you, Russell Funeral Home, for your kind and professional service.