Phyllis “Beach” Johnson Deaton, 75, of Mathews, Va., passed away in her family home on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.

 

Beach spent her childhood in the Craddock section of Portsmouth, Va. She raised five children in Kenbridge then Blackstone, Va., and Elizabeth City, N.C.

 

For the last 10 years Beach had lived in Mathews, with most of her family nearby. She loved volunteering at the Thrifty Spot and being with the special needs students who worked there.

 

Surviving family members include her husband of 59 years, Don W. Deaton; her children, Debbie Holaday (Tom), Donne Witt (Bill), Doug Deaton (Beth), Danny Deaton and Penny Deaton Rylott (David); grandchildren, Jason Holaday, Meagan Deaton Opstal, Will Holaday, Christopher Bell, Hunter Lassiter, Ashley Whittle, Kate Witt, and D.J. Deaton; sister, Libby Yarborough (Jerry); brother, R.V Johnson, as well as many other family members and friends.

 

The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30 at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews. A funeral service was held at Christ Church Parish in Christ Church, Va., Wednesday at 2 p.m.

 

Donations may be made to the Phyllis “Beach” Deaton Scholarship, c/o the Thrifty Spot, P.O. Box 38, Mathews, Va. 23109.