Phyllis Ann was born December 10, 1939 in Dresden, Tennessee and was the 4th and youngest child to Valda and Alfred Bell. Her surviving siblings are Robert Bell, Marjorie Jones, and Jean Ford, all of Lansing, Michigan. As a young girl she loved to play basketball and dance. Phyllis left Tennessee with her family as a teenager and moved to Lansing, Michigan where she graduated from J.W. Sexton High School. Phyllis became a member of Friendship Baptist Church where she enjoyed serving Lord and attending service and Bible study. She eventually became a deaconess and faithfully fulfilled those duties until she was prohibited by her health. She was united in marriage to Earl Nelson and from this union Sondra Nelson Crosier, Donna D. Nelson and Laura Nelson McClain were born. Phyllis loved to bake and do embroidery, and loved the company of young children and the family pets over the years: Tubby, George, Daisy, Athena and CocoChanel. As a long time resident of Lansing, Michigan, Phyllis worked as a clerical technician at Michigan State University for twenty-four years. She was a loyal Spartan fan and particularly enjoyed the men's basketball team season after season. Phyllis also loved watching daytime dramas, and continued to enjoy the music of Rod Stewart, Tom Jones and many Motown artists. She loved flowers and gardens, particularly roses, and enjoyed working in her own rose garden. Phyllis went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 peacefully in her sleep at her home. She leaves behind to cherish her memories her children, siblings, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and a countless number of relatives, friends and neighbors. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 10, 12pm at the Friendship Baptist Church, 2912 Pleasant Grove Road, Lansing, MI 48910. The family will receive visitors one hour before services begin. Memories and condolences can be shared at rileyfuneralhome.com.