Phylis Meadows Major

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Phylis Meadows Major, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and disciple of Christ. She entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on November 29, 2024.

Born on January 4, 1949, in Moultrie, Georgia, Phylis was the daughter of the late Idus W. (Webb) Meadows and Willie Mae Meadows. She grew up in Doerun, Georgia, where she attended elementary school and excelled academically and athletically at Doerun High School. As a standout member of the women’s basketball team, she was one of the leading scorers in the 1967 Georgia State High School Basketball Tournament.

Phylis’s dedication to education was evident from a young age. With the encouragement and support of her high school teacher, Ms. Mabel Bell, Phylis earned a scholarship to attend Norman Junior College, where she served as Student Government President. She continued her education at Georgia Southern University and later Valdosta State University, earning her degree in Education. She also obtained a Master’s degree from West Georgia College, solidifying her commitment to teaching and learning.

A passionate and dedicated educator, Phylis taught for 38 ½ years across Georgia and internationally, leaving a lasting impact on countless students. Her teaching career began in Hogansville, Georgia, and she then moved to Cedartown, Georgia, teaching at Purks Elementary and Cherokee Elementary schools.

In 1985, Phylis and her family moved overseas, where she and her husband taught in four different countries. They returned to the United States in 2003, settling in Lake Arrowhead, where Phylis continued teaching at Sixes Elementary and Freedom Middle School until her retirement in 2009.

In 1970, Phylis married the love of her life, Stephen J. Major, whom she met while attending Norman Junior College. Together, they shared a beautiful 54-year journey filled with love, faith, and adventure. They were blessed with two children, Monte and Lindsay, and six cherished grandchildren: Logan Major, Asa Major, Remington Major, Jaden Perry, Dakota Perry, and Camden Perry.

Phylis was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Phillip Meadows; her sister-in-law, Joyce Wittchen; and her niece, Debra Chamberlain. She is survived by her beloved husband, Stephen; her children, Monte (Rosanne) Major and Lindsay (Cameron) Perry; her grandchildren; her brother, Willie J. Meadows (Jackie); her nieces and nephews: Rene Stephenson, Leigh Nichelson, Todd (Stephanie) Meadows, and Orville Wittchen; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Phylis served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and disciple of the Lord, sharing her faith and love of God in churches both in the United States and abroad. Upon moving back to the US, she made Lake Arrowhead Church her home. She served there in leadership positions and was very active with the praise team and Sister Circle Women’s Ministry. She also enjoyed crocheting with the Shepherd’s Hook Ministry.

Phylis’s legacy of love, kindness, and service to others will forever be remembered and cherished by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched throughout her incredible journey.

Services:
Details regarding the celebration of Phylis’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Lake Arrowhead Church (https://lachurch.org/give) or Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/).

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs.Phylis Meadows Major.

Daniel Zych

Daniel John Zych was born 7/9/1952 and passed away on 1/30/2026, at the age of 73. He usually went by Dan, but was Danny to family and friends. He was born in Delaware to a mother of English and Irish heritage, and a father of Eastern European roots. His name, Daniel, came from his mother’s favorite song, “Oh, Danny Boy,” set to the beloved “Londonderry Air.” From the very beginning, music and meaning were woven into his life.

In his younger years, he was a true surf bum in Cocoa Beach, Florida, drawn to the ocean and the freedom it represented. It was there, during spring break from college, that he met his future wife, Ila Mildred “Millie” Zych. That meeting would shape the rest of his life.

Daniel was a hardworking man whenever his health allowed. Over the years, he worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ran and co-owned a gas station with his brother, apprenticed as a pad mechanic at NASA-following in his father’s footsteps- briefly helped build airplanes at Lockheed Martin, contributed to the foundation of several buildings as an ironworker, served as a stock clerk and Produce Manager at a grocery store, and in retirement, shelved books at the local library. He also frequently volunteered time during his retirement years at local food banks – unpacking donations, shelving books and organizing cans.

He will be remembered as the cook of the household, a storyteller who told the very best bedtime stories, and a grandfather who carried that tradition forward by writing books for his grandchildren. He played piano and guitar entirely by ear, often filling rooms with music for family and friends. He sang his daughters to sleep, especially cherishing the song “If I Had a Little Tiny Fiddle.” His daughters lovingly called him “Big Bog,” and he called them his “baby bogs” after tucking them in at night-small moments that became lifelong memories.

Though he was not a wealthy man, he was a collector, a hobbyist, and a dreamer. Daniel loved cars and motorcycles. In retirement, he once purchased a Harley-Davidson outright, determined to make riding it his “last hurrah.” His imagination was different than reality and he later gifted the bike to his son-in-law. That mix of impulsiveness, passion and generosity was part of who he was.

He valued health and fitness, followed regimented eating habits, and found peace in gardening. He struggled with mental illness, but instead of hiding from it he worked to understand and survive it. Often, you would find him with his nose in a book or an ink pen in hand, learning something new or writing stories and poems. He was liberal in his views, highly intelligent, and deeply engaging-someone you could talk to for hours.

Daniel is survived by his siblings Jim Zych and Patsy Zaffrey, as well as his daughters, Kimberly Weiser of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kelly Turner of Decatur, Georgia.

Daniel lived a life of creativity, struggle, love, and resilience. He was imperfect, complicated, and deeply loved-and he will be remembered for the warmth he gave, the stories he told, and the love he held for his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supporting mental health care and services for those living with schizophrenia.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Daniel Zych.

Phylis Meadows Major

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