Phyllis Stanley

Phyllis Stanley passed away peacefully at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center on January 24, 2025, at the age of 75. 

Phyllis was born in Sylva, NC on June 4, 1949, and remained there most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Stanley, and Opal Nations Stanley. 

Phyllis decided to return to school once her youngest child was grown. She attended Southwestern Community College and graduated with an associate's degree in paralegal technology. Once she graduated, she started a job with Coward, Hicks and Siler, Sylva Office, where she remained for 33 years, and was still employed by them at the time she passed. Phyllis did not continue to work because she had to, she continued because she loved her job and the people she worked with. She probably at one time or another has completed a title search on all the property in Jackson County, and several in surrounding counties. 

Words shared with the family to describe Phyllis have been; Friendly, Hardworking, Frugal, Sweet, Funny, loved to hear her laugh, straight forward, did not sugar coat her words, independent, would tell you what she thought, generous, and that she had a heart of gold. Those words do accurately describe her, and we can add she loved to entertain and have people at her house. She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas, loved to have all the family there for a meal. In previous years, she enjoyed having friends who played musical instruments come, and make music and talk and laugh together. She enjoyed camping, travel and was always up for a road trip. Phyllis had a houseboat on Fontana Lake for several years, and she loved to spend time there and would always invite family and friends to enjoy that with her as well. One of her favorite past times was watching racing. Her two favorite drivers were here son, Alan Rich, and Dale Earnhardt. 

Phyllis is preceded in death by her Parents, her sister, Norma Stanley Potts, her great grandson, Treyson Bradley, her nephew, Mark Ensley, her brother-in-law, Fred Holmes, and one of her best friends, Kelly’s mother, Loula Swann. Loula and Phyllis enjoyed going to races together, fishing and traveling. Phyllis has missed Lou dearly and spoke of her often. 

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Tammy Ensley Bradley, and her son Alan (Kelly) Rich both of Sylva. It is important to note that Kelly may have been her daughter in law, but she loved Kelly like she was her own. Her three grandsons, Caleb, Trevor, and Chase Bradley, and five great grandchildren, Aubree Bradley, Brooklynn Matthews, Jaxon Bradley, Mason, and Maitlyn Bradley. Her brothers, Clarence (Betty) Stanley, Glen (Rhea) Stanley, and her sister, Novella (Eddie) Stanley Greer, all of Sylva, and her sister Joanne Stanley Holmes of Greenwood S.C.; and several very special nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held for Phyllis on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva starting at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 01:30 prior to the service. Phyllis had two beautiful white cats that she dearly loved. If preferred, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Phyllis’s memory to the Bryson City Cat Sanctuary.