Phyllis Marie (McGann) Colvin

“Words cannot describe our loss here on earth of the sweet soul who was my “Mom”, my children’s “Gramma” and Sydney Mae’s “Maw”. Words also cannot describe the moment when she became absent from the body and present with her Lord and Savior, received her reward and heard well done. She was a faith filled blessing to so many. She fought her battle surrounded by family and friends at our home, just the way she wanted it to be. A hard working, Jesus filled example for us all. Until we stand with you in Glory, enjoy those back roads in Heaven Mom.”

Phyllis McGann Colvin, 79, of Waynesboro, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. She was born in Charlottesville at UVA Hospital on November 8, 1946, a daughter of the late Williard Sterling and Thelma Bernadine (Small) McGann.

Phyllis worked her way up in the textile companies MoHawk and PGI to the position of Lab Manager until her retirement in 2014. She was a proud, very involved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Phyllis was a member of Ridgeview Baptist Church and she loved her church family and friends. Her hobbies included visiting with family and friends in the nursing homes, going out to lunch with friends, and spending quality time with her family, especially her pride and joy, Sydney Mae Knight, her great granddaughter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Jimmy, Carl, Donald, and Danny McGann; sister-in-laws, Lois, Shirley, and Bonnie McGann and Jackie Smith and her mother-in-law and second mother, Gladys Colvin.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Diana Garber and husband, Dave of Hermitage; grandchildren, Shawna Knight and husband, Seth and Nicholas Callahan and fiancé, Alexis Palmerino; great granddaughter, Sydney Mae Knight; brother, Freddie McGann and wife, Ann of Nellysford; sister-in-law, Sue McGann of Nellysford; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

A funeral service will be conducted 1pm on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Ridgeview Baptist Church with Pastor Don McClure officiating. Entombment will follow at Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Nicholas Callahan, Seth Knight, F.G. McGann, Benji McGann, George Dunning, and Darrin Hutchinson.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to the Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 909, Fishersville, VA 22939 c/o Hospice of the Shenandoah.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Christopher Heck and the staff of Hospice of the Shenandoah for their compassionate care and to the multiple family members and friends that stayed with her in the hospital/home, brought food, sent cards and visited with her before her passing.

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take…she is your first friend, you best friend, and your forever friend.”

Arrangements have been entrusted to Charlton and Groome Funeral Home.

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