Phyllis Anne Faries

Phyllis “Anne” Faries of Roanoke, Virginia, left this place on Earth to meet up with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, November 21, 2021.

For all that knew Anne she went by several different names. You may have known her as Momma, Gonga, Mrs. Anne, or Anne. She was the mother of four children; three stepchildren; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Many years of her life she was a stay-at-home mom. Then she decided to go into the workforce and after several jobs, she made her decision that she had found her place to call home at Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop. Anne worked there for 33 years and retired from Krispy Kreme when she was 81 years old. She started with the company when it was at its original location at Melrose Ave.

Most of the customers at Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop that were regulars called her Mrs. Anne. The regulars thought so much of her, and if any of them didn't show up on their regular days to visit she would often check up on them to see if they were ok. Mrs. Anne never met a stranger and always looked forward to seeing her customers.

She had a belief that sometimes even the people that were the hardest to love when they came in to be waited on just needed one person to be nice to them. If one person would be nice It would be enough to turn that person around. Mrs. Anne recently talked about a lady that she had waited on many years ago that she went out of her way to be nice to and the lady needed that one break from someone so bad that she instantly connected with Mrs. Anne. She would then always talk to her when she came into the shop. Then one day she came in to tell Mrs. Anne that she was moving away but couldn't until she told her what a difference she had made for her during such a bad time in her life. That very example was the purpose in life and the driving force behind everything that fulfilled Mrs. Anne's heart working at Krispy Kreme. Even after she retired some of her customers have still stayed in touch with her and still checked on her to see how she was doing.

After retirement, Mrs. Anne was better known as Gonga to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gonga’s heart was so full and content to be able to spend so much time with the little great-grandchildren in her final years. She cherished the many visits and ball games she was able to go see that she shared with Dalton, Tori, Rylee, and Braxton so very much. She loved to hear the little ones were on the way to see her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, The love of her life, Robert Faries (better known as Sonny); her parents, Elmo Carlyle and Hatti Louise Conner; brothers, Jimmy Lee Conner and Freddie Wayne Conner; son, Franklin D. Crowder (better known as Pete); and special mention to someone that stayed near and dear to her heart, Frank E. Crowder.

Survivors include her children, Debbie Thomas and Steve Thomas, David Crowder, and Dale Crowder and Delecia Crowder; step children, John Faries and Annette Faries, Bonnie Loomis and Terry Loomis, and Janice Stacey and Larry Stacey; grandchildren, Brian Thomas and Sarah Thomas, Samantha Hall and Jonathan Hall, Jacob Dillon, Chase Crowder, Britta Anne Crowder, and Ryan Miller; great-grandchildren, seven precious little ones; sisters-in-Iaw, MaryAnne Conner and Arlene Conner; great-aunt, Betty Scott; and fur baby, Patti AKA Patricia.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Oakey’s North Chapel. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Oakey’s North Chapel with burial to follow at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.

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