Phyllis Laverne Lewis Meyen

Phyllis Laverne Lewis Meyen, age 101, of West Springfield, Virginia died peacefully on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Charles and Grace Lewis and her husband of fifty nine years, Herman Joseph Meyen. Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Jo Ann Meyen Wetmore(John) of Plano, Texas, Patricia Meyen Johnson(Ted) of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and her son, Mark Lewis Meyen(Ann) of Raleigh, North Carolina. Phyllis had five grandchildren, Mark, Teresa(Troy), Tyson(Yilu), Michelle(Ross) and Michael(Rachel). Phyllis is survived by eight great grandchildren, Austin, Chloe, Ricky, Grace, Sam, Brynn, Walker and Olivia. Phyllis was born in Grand Island, Nebraska where she lived until leaving her position as the town mayor's secretary to travel to Amarillo, Texas to marry the newly minted U.S. Army Lieutenant, Herman Joseph Meyen. While stationed at Amarillo, all three of their children were born, That was just the beginning of the thirty year adventure she relished as a military wife and mother. Phyllis and Herman's tours of duty over the years took them through a transition from the U.S. Army Air Corps to the U.S. Air Force to Anchorage, Alaska, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Pentagon, Dayton, Ohio, Chateauroux, France, the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virgina and Alexandria, Virginia where Phyllis held the family home in order while Herman served a tour in Vietnam. Herman's last duty station was again at the Pentagon. Phyllis served at several duty stations as a volunteer hospital Gray Lady. At numerous stations she honed her secretarial skills as secretary for the officers wives organizations. During Herman's time on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Phyllis served as one of Curtis E. Lamay's volunteer ladies by helping write a newsletter for military wives. Her efforts also included fundraising for projects that served military spouses. There was a rough patch early on when all the family's possessions were lost when their moving truck crashed and burned on the Al-Can highway going to Anchorage. Starting over with nothing was difficult. Phyllis had a love and passion for travel and living in France, her favorite life experience. Her children will tell you all about the many chateaus and museums Phyllis dragged them through while living in France. She often reflected that she did not want to return to the USA at the end of their tour there. Phyllis had a habit of doing the daily crossword puzzles from both the Washington Post and the Washington Examiner. She's been quoted as saying “it's everyone's responsibility to attain their full potential”. When their time together in the military came to an end, Phyllis accepted an offer to work as a legal secretary at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Upon retirement from the NRC, Phyllis was the first secretary to ever receive a Meritorious Service Award. Phyllis even took lessons to become a plane pilot. An active member of her local DAR chapter, Phyllis' 100th birthday was celebrated at a luncheon in her honor in 2023. Prior to and after retirement, Phyllis volunteered her secretarial skills as secretary for the Home Owners Association for her's and Herman's beloved Rhygate community where she lived for 55 years. It was at Rhygate where they found so many lasting friendships and admirers as they hosted many gatherings in their home. Her children have labeled Phyllis “The Oracle of Rhygate”. Phyllis touched so many lives in so many positive ways. She will be greatly missed by so many, they are impossible to count. The family would like to give their heart felt thanks for the wonderful and loving care Phyllis received from the nurses at the Fairfax Inova APU ward of the Schar Cardiovasular Center. A family & friends memorial service/get-together will be held at The Springfield Golf and Country Club on a future date.