Phyllis Dempsey
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Mrs. Phyllis deJane Barnes Dempsey, age 78, of Rome passed away Monday February 21, 2022 at a local hospital.
Phyllis was born in Rome on September 11, 1943 to Albert W. Barnes and Violette Virginia Barnes Arthur. In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Sergeant Major Robert C. Dempsey, and brother, James Arthur. Survivors include sons Josh (Maria) Lovett, Jason (Joy) Lovett, Robert Dempsey, Scott Dempsey, daughters Frankie (Thomas) Pulliam, Rina Johnston, brother Jack Barnes, sisters Monica Hudson, Bobbe (Greg) Hall, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Phyllis grew up in Santa Monica, California before moving back to Rome, Georgia as a teenager. She then graduated from West Rome High School the same year in which she participated in the Miss Rome Pageant. Phyllis loved being outdoors and, while never having learned to swim, she was never far from the beach or a fishing spot. Throughout her life, Phyllis was like her beloved unicorns and followed her own shining star. A star which eventually led her to the love of her life, Chris. Phyllis embraced being the Sergeant Major's wife and was equally comfortable holding tight to Chris on back of a Honda Goldwing as they traveled across the Southeast together into their golden years. Although Phyllis may have been hundreds of miles away, she remained intensely proud of her family. She Who Shall Not Be Named, as dubbed by Chris in his writings, fed countless stories of family accomplishments into the regular newsletter Chris penned, Tempus Fugit. Over the years, Phyllis called North Carolina, Florida and Alabama home before returning to Rome to live with Josh and Maria as her sunset drew to the horizon. Per her wishes, no services are planned. Phyllis will be cremated and, together with Chris, take a final tour of her favorite stops across the Southeast. Gotta go, you're burning daylight!