Phyllis W. Lindsey

Phyllis White Lindsey, 90, of Washington, Georgia, passed away on January 21, 2020, at Augusta University Medical Center.She had lived in Washington for 68 years. Phyllis was an ardent champion of many social causes, including equal rights for women.To this end, she was a vocal advocate for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. She wrote many thoughtful letters to The News Reporter, engaging in friendly debate with former editor Smythe Newsome, who unfailingly published her letters despite frequent disagreement with her opinions! Phyllis was born on May 24, 1929, in Palmerton, PA, to Lester E. White and Florence E. Bertolet White, who preceded her in death. After high school, she studied at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College for one year before transferring to Duke University, where she met her future husband Willis C. Lindsey, Jr. at a “Transfer Dance.” At Duke, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, a beauty queen, and an honors graduate in 1951 with a B.A. in English.She married Willis later that year and moved to his hometown of Washington, GA, where she was thrilled to live in the South and “get out of the snowbanks” of her youth in Pennsylvania. She enjoyed the small-town life, the friendly residents of Washington, and helping Willis run the Lindsey Chevrolet Company. This afforded her the opportunity to drive many demonstrator models, but her favorite was a 1981 Gold Corvette Indianapolis Pace Car, in which she could be seen cruising around Washington, fashionably dressed, for many years! Phyllis motivated Willis to pursue many civic service roles, the most prominent of which was his chairmanship of the Wilkes County Board of Education during the tumultuous early years of school integration. Their steady leadership at that key time figured heavily in the enduring success of racial integration in Washington.In later years, she and Willis placed historical markers around Washington, watched their children achieve success, and took a yearly trip to the New Orleans French Quarter, where they became friends with the local artists and purchased unique pieces of art for their home. Her sixty years of marriage to Willis ended with his passing in 2012. Phyllis moved to Southern Manor Senior Living in 2018, where she enjoyed residing with many old and new friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her brother Lester E. White, Jr. and his wife Minnie. Survivors include her children (spouses): Dr. Patricia Ann Lindsey Harris (Dr. David Joseph Harris, Jr.) of Knoxville, TN; Dr. Peggy Susan Lindsey (Dr. Peter Wyman Wilson) of Atlanta, GA; and Dr. John Thomas Lindsey (Jeannine Stipelcovich Lindsey) of New Orleans, LA. Grandchildren (spouses): Dr. Lauren Lindsey Harris of Knoxville, TN; Dr. Parker Callaway Wilson (Juliana DaFonseca) of St. Louis, MO; Dr. David Joseph Harris, III of Jersey City, NJ (fiancé Sarah Elizabeth Lawless); Paige Lindsey Wilson (Bryan Choi) of Columbus, OH; Dr. Andrew Paul Harris (Sarah Lyle Harris) of Salt Lake City, UT; Jacquelyn Marie Lindsey of New Orleans, LA; and John Thomas Lindsey, Jr of New Orleans, LA. Great-grandchildren: Heidi Marie Harris and Callaway Lyle Harris Nephews and nieces (spouses): Martin E. White (Kathy), David White, Barbre McLeroy (Michael), Gale McCain (Eddie), and Birdie Stringfellow. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family expresses appreciation to the staff of Southern Manor Senior Living, Wills Memorial Hospital, and Lester Johnson MD. Those wishing to leave a gift in Phyllis’ memory are encouraged to support the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation, or the Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation.