Phyllis Davis, 96, of Fayetteville, NC passed away on April 9, 2022, after a critical illness at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Per her wishes, she passed away at home surrounded by her family.
She was born January 30, 1926, in Lezce, Kreis Kozle, in what was then Germany. She was the second to the youngest in a large family of nine children. Her parents were Herman and Marta Jagla. She was raised on a large farm. At the age of fourteen, fearing the enemy invasion during WWII, her mother sent her to find her older sister in Frankfurt. She was found and placed in a labor camp along the way. Suffering hardships, she and two friends escaped to the Czech Republic. She returned to Germany and found her sister. There she met an American soldier, Glenn Peters, her first husband and father of her children. When he was stationed back in America, Phyllis barely spoke English. In her words, “She prayed to the Holy Spirit and passed her citizenship test.” She was so proud.
Phyllis worked extremely hard throughout her life raising her four children. At times working multiple jobs to make ends meet, but always had extra to loan a close friend in need.
In 1983, Phyllis married Jim “Papa” Davis. After Papa retired, him and Phyllis bought an RV and traveled the US. They also traveled Europe visiting her remaining siblings and their families. Phyllis “Oma” and Papa enjoyed many years celebrating the birth of many grandchildren and great grandchildren. After Papa passed, Phyllis moved in with her oldest daughter, Rosemary. During this time, she grew very close to God. He was her foundation until the day she left us. She loved God first, but had so much love left in her heart for everyone she met. Phyllis never met a stranger and continually added to her natural family.
Phyllis is survived by her one remaining brother, Josef Jagla; her children, Rosemary West, Jean Surette, David Peters, and Debra Martin; and her grandchildren, Shannon Calhoun, Joni Nelson, Megan Surette, Kristen Hillman, Nicole Martin, Harrison Martin, Ali Peters, D.J. Peters, and 8 great grandchildren.
She will be missed by all so much. The empty hole she left in our hearts will be difficult to fill.
Our Mom and Oma, so much love in such a tiny body.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10 Am on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Michael officiating. The family will greet friends prior the service at 9 to 9:45 Am. A private family burial will be held at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
