Phyllis Maebell Deshields departed this life on May 12, 2024, at her home in Delmar, Delaware, surrounded by her loving family. Maebell , as she was affectionately called, was born on October 12, 1943, in Wardtown, Virginia. She was the youngest daughter of seven siblings born to the late Thomas Henry and Maggie Novilla Wescott.

She received her education at North Hampton County Schools. She worked many jobs, from Perdue to NCR to Silco and finally to Cargill Hatchery, where she retired after 15 years.

Phyllis joined Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ in 1962, under the pastorate of Elder N. L. and Irma Goldsberry. She served as an Evangelist, President of the Prayer Band, and a member of the Adult Choir, where she famously sang "I'm Pressing on the Upward Way. She also served as a church housekeeper. Phyllis remained a faithful member through the administration of the late Bishop LT Blackshear and of her current pastor, Dexter Taylor.

She met Arthur Deshields at work in 1968, and they married on September 6, 1970. Arthur graciously accepted her four daughters as his own. To this union, one son was born. Phyllis was a prayer warrior; no matter what was going on, her first solution was to pray about it.

Many members of her family affectionately referred to her as "sister feel good" because she was always the first one during worship service to begin praising God in a dance. She was the epitome of the phrase, "Praise is What I DO!!" She was also known to her family as "Dr. Phil," whether it was a mental or a physical problem, Phyllis always had an answer based on something she read or heard while listening to Dr. Rubin and Dr. Axe.

One of her favorite things to do was to hang out with her faithful sidekick, Sue. Whenever you saw one, you saw the other. Though she gave birth to five children, many more claimed her as a mom.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Novilla, brothers, Thomas and Villie Floyd Wescott, Sr., sisters, Margaret Bratten, Betty Johnson, Corine Collins, and granddaughter, Erica Smith.

Phyllis leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Arthur Deshields, five children, Gwendolyn Briddell, Seaford, DE, Corlet Ainsworth, Delmar, DE, Jacqueline Bull (Bobby), Georgetown, DE, Irma Horsey Laurel, DE, and Pierce Deshields (Tysonya), Smyrna, DE, brother, John F. Wescott (Stephany), Delmar, DE, ten grandchildren,  six great-grandchildren, and three adopted children, Lesley Collins, Jimmie and Timothy Smith, and a special granddaughter, Olivia Gattis.

A person who touches the lives of so many can never be forgotten.  She will be sorely missed.

Lovingly Submitted by the Family

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)