Phyllis Nielson Anderson passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at age 95, at Diamond D Assisted Living, surrounded by loving family. She was born February 28, 1920 to Clarence and Dainy Sheriff Nielson in Oak City, Utah. She attended elementary school at Oak City District School, and graduated from Delta high school in 1938. She attended Dixie Jr. College in St. George, Utah for a year.
When World War II broke out, Phyllis worked at Hill Air Force Base. Elvon joined the Navy and went to war, and when he came home on leave, they were married on April 26, 1944 in the St. George, Utah Temple.
She attended BYU, where Elvon received his degree in Geology. Their first child, Dana, was born in Delta, Utah in 1947.
Employment opportunities through Carter Oil Company took Elvon to the Southern part of the United States --first to Jackson, Mississippi, where their second child, April Lynn, was born (1949) -- and soon afterwards to Shreveport, Louisiana, where their third child, Gaaren, was born (1951).
When Gaaren was two years old, they moved to Baton Rouge, where Elvon worked for the Geological Survey and Louisiana State University, teaching and doing research work. Phyllis helped him by drawing prehistoric bugs from core samples for one of his books. They resided in Baton Rouge for 28 years.
Phyllis went back to school during that time, attending LSU and receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art and a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. She taught school for thirteen years in the East Baton Rouge Parish School system, working at first as a substitute teacher, and then with troubled youth in the Family Court system.
Her favorite hobbies were painting scenes from the South, birds and flowers, and illustrations for children's books. She also enjoyed writing story books for children.
Phyllis held various positions in the LDS Church, including Primary teacher and chorister and Relief Society president. Her favorite calling was Primary chorister, which she held for a very long time, and which was her favorite! She loved to sing, especially Primary songs, and was called upon often to perform solos for Sacrament meetings and special occasions. She was known for her beautiful soprano voice.
After their children left home, Elvon and Phyllis moved to Monroe, Louisiana,, where Elvon taught at NLU (Northeast Louisiana University. After Elvon's retirement in 1994, they moved to Utah, living in Delta while building a home in Oak City.
Elvon passed away in 2004, and Phyllis continued living in their home in Oak City until 2012, where she was moved to Diamond D Assisted Living. She passed away nearly three years later.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband: Elvon George Anderson; her parents: Clarence and Dainy Nielson; and six brothers and sisters: Mildred Nielson, Blanche Crafts, Wayne Nielson, Enid Jacobson, Vern Nielson, and Thelma Howes. She is survived by brothers: Fred (Arlene-deceased) Nielson; Monte (Bonnie) Nielson of Oak City, Utah; and sister: Dorothy (Burke-deceased) Giles, of Fresno, California; children: Dana Elvon (Jade) Anderson, of Las Vegas, Nevada; April Lynn (Norman) Love of Oak City, Utah; Gaaren Neil (Mary) Anderson of Tacoma, Washington; 15 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in her honor on Friday, May 22, 2015, at 11:00 am at the Oak City Second Ward LDS Church, 35 East Center. Viewings will be held on Thursday evening, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Friday at the church, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Interment will be in the Oak City Cemetery following the services.