Phyllis Pelts

Phyllis was born on March 18, 1942, in Kennett, MO, to Goldie Jones. She was preceded in death by her mother, her brother, Murel Jones, and her husband of 40 years, Ronald "Ron" Pelts.

Phyllis attended school in Kennett, MO. She was active in several activities such as band, cheerleading, and basketball. After graduating from Kennett High School in 1960, she attended Southeast Missouri State University. She knew she wanted to be a teacher from the first day she stepped into her first-grade classroom at age 6. She graduated from SEMO in 1964 with a B.S. in education, focused on health and physical education.

Phyllis started her teaching career in the Delta C7 school district and also taught for several years in the Caruthersville school district. She took a break from teaching while raising her young children before restarting her career with the Kennett School District. She taught health and P.E. for over 25 years at Kennett Junior High.

On January 26, 1964, Phyllis Jones and Ronald Pelts were married. She said she knew Ron was the one for her. Their love story started when she was working at Mitchell Drug Store. He came into the store while home on his Navy leave. Ron often said Phyllis was the best thing that ever happened to him. For most of their married life, they lived in Kennett.

Phyllis always knew and had a relationship with God, but she did not make that formal decision or proclamation until the age of 28. Once she did, there was no stopping her from sharing her faith. She and Ron faithfully attended Ely Baptist Church and First Baptist Church during their years in Kennett. In August 2003, they moved to Overland Park, KS where all 4 grandchildren lived. Ron passed away only a year after the move. Phyllis attended Nall Avenue Baptist Church in Prairie Village, KS. She honored the Lord and served in many ways at the churches she attended. Phyllis taught adult Sunday school, served in VBS, co-chaired kids camps, and served on various committees.

Phyllis became a mother on January 17, 1967, when her daughter, Shana, was born. Two years later, on December 14, 1968, she became a mother again when she welcomed her son, Byron. Her children were the apple of her eye. She never missed any of their events or activities. She was 100% fully involved in their lives and always present. She was their biggest cheerleader and encourager. She taught them life skills, and more importantly, she raised them to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. When she wasn't busy with her family, she loved knitting and reading. She was an avid watcher of the Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks. In earlier years she coached cheerleading, track, and cross country in middle school and high school and kept the scorebook at hundreds of basketball games.

Phyllis retired from teaching in 1997 and began what she called the best journey ever. She became a grandmother in September 1997 and was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren: Courtney, Morgan, Tyler and Caleb. She poured her life into these grandkids. She went to every activity they were in, babysat every chance she got, and poured Jesus into their lives. Like her children before them, she was their greatest cheerleader and encourager. She loved them, and they knew it. She got to see all her grandchildren grow into terrific young adults.

The last 20 years of her life were spent enjoying grandchildren and traveling. She went on all sorts of trips with her family. She enjoyed cruises, baseball trips, and trips to Disney World with her family. She loved being involved in everyone's life and sharing life with them.

On January 7, 2026, Phyllis was called to her eternal home with Jesus Christ, her Savior. She is survived by her daughter, Shana Rains (Kevin), granddaughter Courtney Schutte (Andrew), grandson Tyler Rains (fiancée Allie Burch), son, Byron Pelts, granddaughter Morgan Pelts, grandson, Caleb Pelts, and daughter-in-law, Amy Pelts. She is also survived by her brother, Ralph Jones (Gayla), and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to First Baptist Church in Kennett may be made. The address is: 300 St Francis Street, Kennett, MO

Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements.