Phyllis Jean (Jones, Dominguez) Detjens, 80, of Santa Barbara, California, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in a care facility in Yucaipa, California surrounded by her family. Born August 5, 1937 the oldest of 4 children and the only girl in Moline, Illinois to Albert and Phyllis Jones, Phyllis faithfully served her family and church out of her deep love and commitment to Christ.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray, her parents, 2 brothers Benjamin and Michael Jones, her first husband Henry Dominguez, and two grandsons Jacob Ray Detjens and Frederick Cook MacDonell.
Phyllis is survived by sons Gerald Ray Detjens, Leonard Ray (Shareé) Detjens, daughters Eileen Rae (Ricky) Smith, Rena Rae (Fred) MacDonell, brother Jonathan (Peggy) Jones, sister-in-law LeAnne Jones, granddaughters Amber Rae Detjens, Melanie Rose Gilbertson, grandsons Alexander Ray MacDonell, Ian Patrick MacDonell, Justin M Smith and Michael J Smith, great grandsons Jacob J Smith and RJ Smith and great granddaughter Olivia Naomi Pinkley; as well as loving nieces, nephews and other friends. Phyllis was a loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend to all.
Phyllis graduated from high school in Lindsay, CA. She later met and married Henry Dominguez. On a dark night while she and Henry were driving home late, a drunk driver hit their car head on taking Henry’s life and leaving Phyllis fighting for hers. After multiple surgeries, she recovered and opened her heart to love again. This time to a widow with four children! She and Ray met and married in 1971 in Santa Barbara, California. She was a courageous woman to step into the role of mother, and she did it with much love and grace.
Phyllis was known for her gift of hospitality. She loved to have people into her home and treat them as family and serve delicious home-cooked meals. She also spent many years in the kitchen at Living Faith Center cooking and serving for all types of events. She devoted her prime years to caring for her children and her home, and when her children were older, she worked behind the scenes at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust until she retired. Everywhere she lived she became involved in a local church and served the families in those ministries. When she retired she and Ray worked with MAPS RVers traveling around the country working at different churches, camps and schools. Phyllis would serve in any way needed. One of her favorite places was Spencer Lake Christian Center in Wisconsin where she and Ray worked for many summers in their later years. Once the time for traveling the country was over, they settled in at home in Yucaipa, California where she spent her final years cared for and surrounded by her devoted children.
A special thank you to the Redlands Community Hospital Hospice in Yucaipa, California for their loving care and support. Also thank you to Yucaipa First Assembly for all of their loving support and assistance with arrangements in Phyllis' last days.
Funeral services for Phyllis will be at the Yucaipa First Assembly, 12226 Second Street, Yucaipa, CA on June 25, 2018 arranged by Weaver-Hughes Mortuary in Yucaipa. Visitation will be from 9 AM until 9:30 AM with the memorial service beginning at 9:45 AM. Phyllis will be laid to rest in a private ceremony for family at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. In lieu of flowers Phyllis requested memorial donations be made in her name to Spencer Lake Christian Center, N1385 Cnty Hwy E, Waupaca, WI 54981 or online at www.spencer-lake.org under Get Involved/Foundational Partners.]
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