Phyllis Irene Kelley was the second of three children born to Donie Wingo-Kelley and Josiah Chandler; both of whom preceded her in death. Phyllis and her four siblings: JoAnne, Mildred, 

Carolyn, and Harold (three of whom have preceded her in death) were raised by their Aunt Mildred and Uncle Simon Stewart in St. Louis.

Phyllis attended O’Fallon Technical High School. It was while attending O’Fallon High that she met and married the love of her life; Oscar Cook (who preceded her in death). To their union three boys were born: Kevin, Brian and Mark (whom preceded her in death). 

Phyllis was very talented, but it was in housing that she found her calling. She went on to focus on major public housing properties, such as, Jeff Vander Lou, Vatterott Properties, Union-Sarah Delmar Properties and the John DeShields properties of East St. Louis. She became a “go to” for property managers for questions they didn’t know the answers to pertaining to housing.

Phyllis will be missed by many, many people. She had a huge following of people that she did “special” favors for, helping them when no one else could or would. Everyone has at least one “blanket” that she made. And if a birthday or another event was coming up, she’d whip up some kind of home made gift for them that was indeed something to treasure.

Phyllis leaves to mourn her passing, sister Carolyn Kelley-Bounds; sons, Kevin Cook (Carla), Brian Cook (Tracey) and Grandchildren: Ebony, Markita, Marquia, Adrienne, Le Bria: Great grandchildren; Zaire, Naasir, Geremi, Gemi, Kanai and Mazi, and a host of neices, nephews, cousins and a great number of friends, too great to record, all of whom adored and will truly miss her.