Phyllis Marilyn Alban was born on May 29, 1929 in Gallia, Ohio to Daniel Jacob Alban and Pearl Slagle Alban.  Phyllis was the third of four daughters in her very loving family.  She was blessed to live as a farm girl in Ohio until the family decided to sell their farm and move to Clermont, Florida in 1945.  She lived in Clermont the remainder of her life.  Phyllis met John Robert Simms within the first few days of coming to Florida.  They dated for nearly three years before marrying in 1948, the year after they both graduated from Clermont High School.  They had one daughter, Sharon Jeanette.  Phyllis worked as a clerk at Clermont Hardware and Supply, which had been owned by the Simms family since the mid-1920's.  After the hardware store was sold in the late 1970's, she continued to work for the new owner, until she went to work at CBS Industries in Clermont.  Later she became the manager there.  She retired from her work to care for her mother, Pearl, until Pearl's passing at age 102 in early 2003.

Phyllis loved people and especially her big family.  She showed her love through service and affection. Phyllis enjoyed visiting and traveling with family or friends, playing Bingo and cards, bowling as a young woman, serving as a Grey Lady at the South Lake Hospital, and helping and caring for others. In her later years, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member there.  She was outgoing, smart, friendly, helpful, feisty, selfless, pretty, and loved by so many in the community.  She was an amazing cook and hostess. She loved having a house full of people.  She had a grand laugh, was the best storyteller and hug giver.  You knew you were loved by her, because she freely showed her affection!

Although she only had one daughter, she had seven grandchildren, a foster grandson, and 27 great-grandchildren.  She was known as "Granny" or "Granny Good" to her posterity.  To her beloved nieces and nephews she was called "Aunt or Auntie Phil."

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters "Polly" Margaret Pauline Alban Lane and "Dot" Dorothy Jean Alban Campbell, and her grandson, Jacob Robert Dame.  She is survived by her daughter Sharon Jeanette Simms Dame (John) and grandchildren: Merrilee Rowland (Mike), Natalie Jordan (Andy), John (Haley), Michael (Shelli), Matthew (Staci), Andrew (Brittney), foster grandson Tony Adorante (Kim); and 27 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her younger sister, Eileen Alban Bowen, and her sister-in-law, Donna Rae Simms Hutchingson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was so very loved, treasured, and cherished as the matriarch of our big family.  She was larger than life.  Many have said of her, she was one of a kind.  She will be sorely missed.

For those who are unable to join us in celebrating Phyllis' life in person, below is the information so you can join us via zoom.

https://zoom.us/j/ 96579872828?pwd= VHZ6MXgraXhuRlkwSVBBS2t2eXZNZz 09

passcode: 072447