Phyllis Hodum Clemmons, 86, of Columbus, MS, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025, at her daughter's residence.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS, with Rev. Gary Hodum officiating. Interment will be at Forest Cemetery in Ethelsville, Alabama.

Mrs. Clemmons was born September 20, 1938, in Alcorn County, MS, to the late Tommie Childs Hodum and Epp Hodum. A devout Christian, she was of the Baptist faith and a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus, MS. Mrs. Clemmons was a teacher for 32 years. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Clemmons is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence "Larry" Clemmons; brother—Burl Hodum; sister—Berchie Haycock (Cecil); brothers—Lacy Hodum, Arnold "Cotton" Hodum, Joe Hodum, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Hodum.

Mrs. Clemmons is survived by her daughter—Rebecca Clemmons Childs (Mike); son—Richard Lawrence Clemmons; daughter—Elizabeth Clemmons Greene (Rusty); grandchildren—Christopher Lawrence Clemmons, Miller Andrew Greene, and William Henry "Hank" Greene; brother—Robert Hodum; sister—Agnes Austin (Bill); brother—Gary Hodum (Wanda); brother—Tom Hodum; and sisters-in-law—Peggy Hodum and Regina Hodum along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Richard Clemmons, Rusty Greene, Miller Greene, Hank Greene, Randy Friesen, and Alan Leonard. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Childs, James Frye, Tony Smith, and the members of the Ricky Riley Sunday School Class of Fairview Baptist Church.

Many years ago, Richard told Becky that he thought Proverbs 31 probably ought to be read whenever it came time to bury their mother. He'd read through the chapter and couldn't find anything that lady did that his mother didn't. He wasn't wrong.

Her 61-year marriage to Larry Clemmons, who was the love of her life, was an inspiration to all who knew them. They lived together with faith, humor, and mutual admiration.

Phyllis was exceptional in character, in kindness, in her teaching, and in working with her hands to provide for her household and for many others with food, clothing, and encouragement. She quite literally exemplified the Scriptural mandate to take care of the widows, orphans, and the less fortunate among us.

An accomplished cook and seamstress even while in high school, she attended Northeast Junior College and Mississippi State College for Women in pursuit of a degree in Home Economics. When asked why she chose that degree, she replied that she wanted to have children and be the best mom she could be.

In addition to her own three children, she and her husband, Larry opened their hearts and home to at least 24 foster children whose stays varied from just a few days to several years. During those years, she returned to college and earned a Master's degree in her field, as well.

Throughout her life, her jobs included making men's pants in a factory, which she hated, selling Avon just to get to know her neighbors, being a social worker for the state of Mississippi, where she loved helping children in crisis, and teaching clothing construction at Caledonia High School. She later co-authored and taught the curriculum known as "Living Skills," which covered everything from conception to death, manners, hygiene, job prep skills, and etiquette. During her last years at New Hope High School, she taught Health. She loved teaching and her students so much that she said she would have taught for free - and that when she looked at her early paychecks, she almost did.

As much as she loved teaching, she loved her family even more, continuing to gather with her siblings as often as she was physically able.

Food was her true love language, which she continued to share with family, friends, and neighbors right up until she entered the hospital on September 6th of this year.

Standing proudly at 6'1" in her prime, her height was in direct correlation to her ability to love people well. As her sister-in-law Jane once said, "Our lives just got better when she showed up."

In keeping with her spirit of generosity, memorial donations may be sent to the charity of your choice.