PHYLLIS S. WELBAUM

The sweetest wife, momma, Grammy, and pastor went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Phyllis Spears Welbaum entered the world on November 23, 1936 in a small coal mining town called Millstone, KY to the late Ora and Ruby (Wyatt) Spears.  She grew up in Seco, Kentucky with her six siblings. When our beloved Phyllis was only 8 years old, she felt called to do big and beautiful things for God. In 1954 she took a giant leap of faith, packed her bags and left for college at Eastern Kentucky University. After obtaining her bachelor's in commerce, she moved to Troy, Ohio where she fell in love with a handsome choir boy named Gilbert K. Welbaum with whom she fell in love and married on July 25, 1959.

Among Phyllis' great accomplishments was founding Living Word Christian Center where she faithfully pastored alongside Gilbert for their entire 57 years of marriage. Over the course of their 57 years together, Phyllis raised 4 beautiful daughters: Mindy Smallenbarger, Beth (Mark) Kindell, Amy (Marty) Kindell and Jill (Brian) Patel, all of Troy. She adored her 10 grandchildren:  Lindsay Smallenbarger, Brady Smallenbarger, Whitney (Steve) Varnau, Allison Kindell, Emily (Dillon) Kitchen, Brandon Kindell, Brittany Kindell, Joshua Patel, Landon Patel and Collin Patel; Phyllis is also survived by siblings: Tom Spears, FL, Dewey (Sarah) Spears, AL and Janice (Frank) Shumbata, MA; sister-in-law: Barb Spears, OH.  She could be found sitting in her cozy recliner praying fiercely for her family, friends, and church congregation. Our girl enjoyed her years teaching in various Miami County schools and even loved playing "school" with her grandkids. In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by three siblings: Mary Evelyn Roberts, Steve Spears and Stanley Gordon Spears.

Phyllis was passionate about music, especially old hymns and could make a mean batch of "Grammy noodles." She loved the Lord deeply and had an intimate relationship with Him. She was the most devoted, loving soul and cared so deeply for the people in her life. She devoted her life to ministry praying for every soul she encountered to know the faith she held so dearly.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at Living Word Christian Center, 947 North Market Street, Troy, OH.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Troy.  Friends may call from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, 1306 Garbry Road, Piqua, OH 45356.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.