- Date Of Birth: February 6, 1962
- Date Of Death: May 21, 2021
- State: North Carolina
LIFE REFLECTIONS
Phyllis Shiree Mapp Siler affectionately known as “Bone Phyl, Po Po Mapes, and Phil” was born on February 6, 1962 in Philadelphia, PA to Burleigh F. Mapp, Sr and Ruth Brower Mapp. Phyllis was the youngest of seven children who brought laughter and a keen sense of humor to everyone she met and to everywhere she went. Phyllis received her crown and robe on Friday, May 21st, 2021 late in the midnight hour, 12:15am to be exact! Can you imagine her arriving with her wings, at the pearly white gates, saying to her father, sister, two brothers, and numerous family and friends? “GUESS WHO’S HERE TO JOIN YOU”; all while cracking up!
The Mapp Family moved from West Philly (Down the Way) to Southwest Philadelphia when Phyllis was six years old. She had a happy and blessed childhood. Phyllis first became best friends with Vanessa Hailey, who lived next door. Over 50 years of friendship with her and many other girls she met throughout her life. She loved her friends, and maintained a close relationship with them.
Phyllis received religious training and education at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. She was the first and only Black student in the first grade. Her teacher was the only and first Black teacher there. They developed a special bond that Phyllis often talked about. It was from her oldest late brother Toby that helped developed her SENSE OF HUMOR.
Phyllis graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School in 1980. Phyllis furthered her education at Indiana University of PA aka I.U.P. with a major in Social Work. It is there that she became a member of the Que Essence Auxiliary of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Phyllis, like her family, had a great work ethic. She, like most of them, enjoyed TALKING (It’s a Mapp Thang, thanks to her Daddy). Phyllis’s 1st job was a paper girl assistant to her late brother Chalie. She had many jobs and with that came many more life long friends. From Philly to Siler City, Phyllis followed and worked with her late Big Sister Linda at several companies. Both of them were highly intelligent, avid readers, tv watchers, with a love and appreciation for people.
Phyllis loved her late Daddy and Mommy. God saw fit to give her the desire of her heart after the first marriage ended. She married her childhood friend and the love of her life, the late Boris L. Siler. Phyllis later revealed that she ALWAYS, secretly had a crush on him. For 19 yrs Phyllis and Boris had a great relationship and marriage. They thoroughly enjoyed and loved each other’s company. They both had a GREAT LOVE FOR MUSIC and could be found singing and dancing anywhere in Siler City. Can you imagine Boris saying, How’d YOU Get HERE!? I just left you nearly two years ago!” And Phyllis’s response, “I MISSED YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH” and Boris responding “Me two!” Then they’d laugh.
Although Phyllis never had any children, she was a SUPER AUNT! She loved ALL of her nephews, especially the first one Andre’ Mapp. Phyllis was seven when he was born. It was Andre’ who gave her the nickname “Po Po” because he couldn’t say Phyllis at 2yrs old. With her sense of humor, and his term of endearment for her, the name stuck. Phyllis happily and readily helped my parents care for all of her NIECES & NEPHEWS who came down for the summer while working her fulltime job. The now grown adults will remember her more fondly for all the laughter she bestowed on them and all the fun places she took them, especially swimming daily at Bray Park. Their memories of Aunt Phyl are rich and priceless! Can you hear them now, “Remember When, Aunt Phyl…” (SMILE)
When Phyllis’s parents relocated to Siler City, NC, her mother’s hometown. Phyllis followed behind her nephew Andre’ and moved down there too. She lived longer in Siler City than in Philly.
Phyllis received Christ as a child and all the sacraments at M. B.S. She attended Corinth AME Zion Church during the summers she spent here and then when she moved here in the 90’s. However, it was under Reverend Mary J. Turner, former Pastor of Corinth AME Zion Church that Phyllis yielded to the Holy Spirit and gave her life to Jesus Christ. Phyllis faithfully served alongside her Mother in several ministries: Missionary, Stewardess, and Choir. Phyllis singing in alto in the Heavenly Choir, what a joy? During the last 10yrs, Phyllis embraced Corinth AME Zion Church’s motto the scripture:. “We Walk by Faith And Not By Sight!”
Her random and intentional acts of kindness were numerous. She started taking care of her Mommy (88) as she fondly called her! They were like a page out of a Dr. Suess book: “They were here, there and everywhere!” Doing all the fun things together daily. It’s heartwarming to hear their friends here in town describe them. “You never saw one without the other!” “That was her ride and die!” “Phyllis loved her some Mommy and vice versa!”
Phyllis left here knowing that her Mommy was ADVOCATING AND PRAYING FOR HER LIKE ONLY A MOTHER COULD & SHOULD! Phyllis fought the good fight and BELIEVED God for her HEALING.
We thank God for Phyllis and today on this MEMORIAL WEEKEND, we will CELEBRATE PHYLLIS’ LIFE FOREVER.
A SPECIAL thank you to Phyllis’ current Pastor Reverend Verlon O. Anderson and his wife for befriending her too. She loved and appreciated you immensely. Thank you to her Corinthian Church family for making space for her to grow and enjoy life in Jesus.
A special thank you to her Sister from another MISTER Dwana McNeil & family for loving her up here in Siler City.
A special thank you to her BROTHERS from another MOTHER both Teddy Mapp & Randy Fikes.
May God Bless her 4 Godchildren: Sheree Stith Moore, Raymond E. Stith of Philadelphia, Urijah McSwain and Amber Mapp of Siler City.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Boris L. Siler, father, Burleigh F. Mapp, Sr, 2 brothers, Burleigh F. Mapp, Jr aka Toby, Charles R. Mapp aka Chalie, sister Linda Mapp White.
Phyllis leaves to mourn her Mother, Ruth Brower Mapp, one sister, Bernita F. Mapp (Curtis Sr) of Philadelphia, PA, two brothers, Richard O. Mapp (Fran) of Brandywine, MD, and Bruce A. Mapp, Sr (Stephanie) of Philadelphia, PA., sister-in-law, Winnie Smart-Mapp of Philadelphia, PA.
SPECIAL NEPHEW, Andre’ M. Mapp (Susan) of Siler City, NC, Mother in law, Gwendolyn Siler of Siler City, NC, a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from north to south – east to west.
“TRUE FRIENDS ARE TOGETHER IN SPIRIT!”
Service Program
