Phyllis Jean Eggenberger, 96, died at The Meadows in Nashville, Tenn., September 26. She was preceded in death by her parents David Earl and Carrie Belle Lyle Eggenberger, brother David Lyle Eggenberger, sister Esther Kempf, nephew Lyle Duane Eggenberger, and nieces Evonne Greer and Marjorie Anicich.
She is survived by a niece, Ellen Nelson, Edmond, Okla.; two nephews, Roy Eggenberger, Spring, Texas, and Richard Kempf, Orange, Calif.; and several great nephews and nieces.
The youngest of three children, Phyllis was born in Des Moines, Iowa, January 12, 1926. After graduation from high school, she worked 15 years with the Iowa Farm Bureau. She joined the staff of Iowa Methodist Information in 1962 and spent the remainder of her career working in communications agencies of the United Methodist Church. In 1965 she moved to Evanston, Illinois, and worked with Methodist Information and Public Relations, the denomination’s news agency which was later incorporated into United Methodist Communications (UMCom). In 1982 she transferred to the agency’s Division of Program and Benevolence Interpretation. In 1986 she moved to Nashville and worked at UMCom headquarters in Nashville until her retirement in 1997.
A resident at The Meadows since November 2021, she was a member of Belmont United Methodist Church where she volunteered as music librarian.
Known for her keen sense of humor and knowledge of the United Methodist Church, Phyllis had a network of friends literally around the world. Among these was a pen pal in Scotland with whom she had regular correspondence for more than 50 years, beginning during her high school years. The two met face to face for the first time in 1997 in Scotland.
A natural communicator in her professional and personal life, Phyllis was always on the alert for newspaper and magazine articles and information to share with family and friends by mail or phone. Never having a driver’s license didn’t prevent her from traveling throughout the communities where she lived. She knew cab and bus drivers and shopkeepers by name and would often give them homemade muffins. The children’s choirs at Belmont knew her as the “candy lady.”
A memorial service will be held at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday, October 20. Visitation will begin at 3:30; the service at 5 p.m. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Belmont United Methodist Church Music Ministries, 2007 Acklen Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212. Burial was at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the EGGENBERGER family.
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