On March 22, 1947, in Gautier, MS, Helen Bethune brought a beautiful blue-eyed baby girl into this word. She named her Phyllis ad no one could have known then how special this child would become to so many people. As a young girl Phyllis moved to Okolona, MS, and graduated high school there in 1956. After graduation, Phyllis worked at the phone company in Tupelo for a while. Through these years, Phyllis had attracted the attention of a young man who was to become the love of her life. On May 6, 1966, Phyllis Bethune married Merl Kincade and the two of them became parents to Craig and Shelly. After spending several years working at Meadow Sportswear and Puckett Sportswear, Phyllis found her home when she went to work at Chickasaw Container. She enjoyed her job and loved the people she worked for and with.
If Phyllis Kincade’s life could be summed up in two words, it would be “family” and “friends.” She loved her two children and her five granddaughters beyond measure, as well a all her aunts, uncles, and cousins. And nobody could ever find a better friend. If you were able to call her your friend, a many were, then you were a lucky person. She was always there with a helping hand during times of trouble and she was there with a laugh and a smile to enjoy with friends during the happy times.
Of course the life of Phyllis cannot be summed up in two words. There were so many things she did and enjoyed, and she liked fishing, especially for catfish off the boat at the Mississippi River. She liked playing cards, especially if she won. She liked shopping, especially the sale rack at Belk. She loved traveling, especially cruising with friends or family. She enjoyed cooking (and she was one of the best) and loved having everyone over for Sunday lunch. But most importantly, Phyllis loved God, she loved attending church, she loved reading her Bible, and she loved sharing the Word with everyone. She was a joy and blessing to all who knew her.
To our sadness, the Lord decided to bring Phyllis home to Him o Friday April 14, 2023. But with joy, we can all think of her walking again – this time on streets of gold. A visitation for Phyllis will be held at Holland Funeral Home in Okolona on Sunday, April 16, from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Funeral services will be Monday, April 17, at 11:00 A.M. at the Wren Church of Christ with Brother Chris Long, Brother Marshall Eubanks, and Brother Tommy Lawson officiating. Carolyn Earnest will share some memories from the life of Phyllis.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Kincade, Chris Kincade, Print Kincade, Beau Cox, Bud Davis, and Craig Kincade. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jon Tartt, Tony Bethune, Jeff Bethune, Barry Gladney, and Employees of Chickasaw Container.
Survivors include her husband Merl Kincade of Okolona; a son, Craig Kincade of Okolona; a daughter, Shelly Washington and her husband Sammy Washington of Okolona; Five granddaughters: Hannah Kincade of Okolona, Elizabeth McAfee (Daniel) of Smithville; Mary Martha Washington and Samantha Jo Washington of Oxford; and Presley Washington of Okolona. Phyllis also leaves behind a brother-ion-law and sister-in-law Earl and Martha Kincade; her special friend of 55 years Lucy Pruett; her “more-like-a-daughter” friends Teresa Tartt and Carolyn Earnest; and a multitude of other friends including Shirley Moss, Sandra Burns, and Donnis Tooke.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Bethune; a brother Doyle Bethune; sister-on-law Claris Bethune, a brother James Bethune; and sister-ion-law Jeannette Bethune.
