Phyllis Marie Hartman

Phyllis was born Filida Dulce Jorge, September 16, 1932, in Santiago, Dominican Republic to Miguel and Dulce Jorge. She emigrated to the United States at the age of 17 and joined her family in New York City. She renamed herself Phyllis Marie when naturalized as an American citizen in 1957.

Phyllis learned Bible truth from her mother who was witnessed to by missionaries in Dominican Republic. Upon moving to New York, she learned her father was also accepting Bible literature from Jehovah’s Witnesses. Phyllis continued her interest in the Bible, dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 1, 1960. She was always eager to share her faith with others and enjoyed and excelled in informal witnessing. Phyllis shared Bible literature and her hope for the future to those who would listen, often to any salesman or delivery person who would stop by her home. She always had Bible literature prepared for such occasions and loved sharing these experiences with her family.

Upon becoming a single mother, Phyllis decided to go to Cosmetology School in New York and graduated as a hairstylist. She enjoyed her profession and it enabled her to support her young family. Despite life-long health challenges, Phyllis did not shrink back from hard work and often met life’s challenges with steely determination.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her beloved son Lawrence Michael Payne, her parents Miguel and Dulce Jorge, and her dear sisters Fanny Iacono and Florence Colletti.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Walter Andrew Payne and his wife Nancy; Darleen Thierry and her husband Marty; Cynthia Harvey; Jacquelene Parrales and her husband Jorge; William Lawrence Payne and his wife Ivana. Her grandchildren, Stephanie Trevezo, Brandon Payne; Martin Louis Thierry and his wife Melissa, Chantelle Thierry, Christina Thierry, Chelsea Thierry; Tammy Jurado, Nicole Vigil, Gabriella Vigil, Daniella Vigil; Danielle Parrales and Olivia Parrales. Her great grandchildren: Queanna Lopez, Skylynn Naranjo, and Adrian Rufino. Her siblings, Frieda Wilson and husband Bob; Freddy Jorge; Fritz Jorge and wife Carol; and Francis Bishop; along with many nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held virtually on Zoom and hosted by the English Culpeper Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, on August 28, 2021 at 2:45 pm.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to friends in the English Culpeper Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Heartland Hospice, Clore English Funeral Home, and to all our dear friends and family that have reached out in support during this time.

For our dear family and friends, if you would like to view the family photos and sentiments of Phyllis a webpage has been created; please visit, www.inmemoryofphyllis.com.