Ms. Phyllis Laverne Singleton (68) was born on August 26, 1957, in Sarasota, Florida, peacefully away to the Heavenly Father on August 16, 2026. Visitation will be 5pm-7pm August 28, 2026, at Chandler’s Funeral Home 1425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sarasota Florida. 34234. Home Going Service will be 11:00am at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2504 Gillespie Ave Sarasota Fl. 34234.
Ms. Phyllis Laverne Singleton (68) was born on August 26, 1957, in Sarasota, Florida, to the late Orzel and Mazie Singleton. From the very beginning, Phyllis was surrounded by family, love, and the strong foundation that would help shape the remarkable woman she would become.
Raised in Sarasota County, Phyllis received her early education in the community she called home. She attended Tuttle Elementary School, followed by McIntosh Junior High School, and proudly graduated from Sarasota High School. Her desire to continue learning led her to further her education at Santa Fe Community College and Manatee Community College.
Throughout her life, Phyllis was a dedicated and hardworking woman who embraced every opportunity to provide for herself and those she loved. She held several positions throughout her career, demonstrating her determination, resilience, and strong work ethic. She eventually completed her professional journey with the Sarasota County School District, where she faithfully served until her retirement
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Phyllis will be remembered most for the life she shared with others. She was a woman of faith, a loving mother, cherished grandmother, devoted sister, beloved family member, and loyal friend. She possessed a generous spirit and a heart that seemed to always have room for one more person to love, encourage, or help.
Phyllis loved life. She enjoyed traveling, good food, laughter, and, most importantly, spending time with her family. Her greatest treasures were not found in material things, but in the relationships, she nurtured and the memories she created with the people she loved.
After nearly seven decades of a life filled with love, family, faith, laughter, challenges, accomplishments, and countless memories, Phyllis Laverne Singleton entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Orzel and Mazie Singleton; sisters Mary Jewell Jenkins and Peggy Elaine Wiggins; and her grandson, Orzel Lovett Jr.,
Phyllis leaves a beautiful legacy of love through her brother, Alvin Jarrel Singleton, and her sister, Angela Singleton Dailey/Waters.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children:
Dennis Corey Smith (Trenese)
Kellee Ann Nelson
Leonard D. Nelson II
Orzel Lovett
Her Love will continue through her grandchildren:
Corey D. Smith
Leornard D. Nelson III
Leila Nelson
Syrena Estrada
Caylen Smith
Christian Smith
Lavon Nelson
Lyndon Nelson
Damier Fraiser
Kensley Taylor
She will also be lovingly remembered by her nieces:
Christina Singleton
Amy Singleton Fulton (Chris)
Alexis Singleton
Vetosa Wester
Her nephews:
Albert Kitchner (Megan)
Shang Wiggins (Faye)
Christopher Jenkins
Charles Dorian Dailey Jr.
She also leaves behind a host of great-nieces, great nephews, adopted sons and daughters, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who were blessed to know and love her.
Arrangement’s Entrusted to Chandler’s Funeral Home.
Chandler's Funeral Home
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Donna Kay Swilley
August 28, 2026, 10:03 pm
My Condolences to Family and Friends. I can’t believe she’s gone. She will be missed. Rest in Peace sweetie. I love you. ❣️🙏🏾😓
K.K.
Vetosa Wester
August 29, 2026, 3:12 am
Auntie Phil From the time I was 12 years old until now, I could not have asked God for a better person to place in my life.
I remember the day Peggy brought me to you and told you, “Take care of her. She needs someone.” And Auntie, that is exactly what you did. You took me in, loved me, guided me, and stood by me through every stage of my life.
When I graduated, you were there.
When I had my first child, all the way to my last child, you were there.
When I got my first apartment, you were there.
Even the first time I went to the club, you were there!
You watched me grow from a young girl into a woman.
When I finally decided it was time to grow up and started my first daycare business, you trusted me with your own grandchildren. Then, when I stepped into home care, you trusted me with Grandma Mazy. I can still hear you saying, “If nobody else can make Mama do something, Angie can.” That kind of trust meant more to me than you probably ever knew.
But when I made the decision to give my life to the Lord and truly serve Him, you became my number one fan. You were so proud of the woman I was becoming. You praised me for changing my ways, encouraged me in my walk with God, and even came to church with me several times, bringing family along with you.
I called you “Auntie,” but the truth is, the role you played in my life was so much greater. You were a mother to me. You stood in the gap and filled a place in my life where my mother should have been. You loved me, corrected me, supported me, celebrated me, and never stopped being there.
And I thank God that I didn’t wait until you were gone to tell you how much you meant to me. I told you thank you many times. When you were in that hospital in Georgia, I drove all the way there just to see you with my own eyes and make sure they were taking care of you the way you deserved.
Phyllis, you may no longer be here on this side of eternity, but you will forever be in my heart. You are woven into the story of my life. So much of the woman I became was shaped by the love, guidance, trust, and support you gave me throughout the years.
From that 12-year-old girl who needed someone, to the woman, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and servant of God I am today—you were there through it all.
Thank you, Auntie, for standing in the gap.
Thank you for loving me like your own.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for being there.
I will carry your love, your words, and your memory with me for the rest of my life.
Rest well, Auntie Phyllis. Your love made a difference in my life, and I will never forget you. 🕊️❤️