Phyllis Meshack-Bennett ’71

Phyllis did not believe in living a half-life, nor a dream deferred. She challenged each person in her universe to grow, and she had a truly innate talent for moving mountains to ensure that everyone orbiting her reached that end. She was the most beautiful and radiant spirit you could ever encounter. She was an advocate, a protector, a friend, a confidant, a sister, a devoted wife and a mother. Yes, Phyllis was a truly phenomenal woman, indeed! Phyllis Yvonne Meshack Bennett was born to Reverend Billie Augustus Meshack and Lula Mae Sanford Meshack On Oct. 27, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. She was the eldest of two daughters, both of whom had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior early in their lives. She even played piano for the church for many years.

Phyllis attended local public schools in the greater Los Angeles area throughout her early and post-secondary years. She went to the 32nd Street Elementary School, Horace Mann Middle School and Washington Preparatory High School, where in the summer of her junior year, she had the auspicious honor of being selected to participate in a life-changing summer exchange program at the University of Wales, where she studied English literature and composition. Phyllis was also elected class president during her junior and senior years at Washington Prep, where she remained a dedicated member and leader within the alumni organization. She happily organized and produced events on their behalf for many years, post-graduation.

During her time with the public defender's office, she dedicated her life to advocating for those at the mercy of the system. During her early years, she worked in tandem with her sister to keep young black men out of jail during the L.A. riots. Later, she went on to work as an advocate for clients with mental illness and developmental disabilities and helped to provide resources for criminal record expungements and vocational training.

In 2013, Phyllis went back to school in order to further her career and personal advancement and earned a master of arts degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills. After 22 years of service, Phyllis retired from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office in 2014 and spent her remaining years traveling with her sons and partying with an endless circle of cousins and lifelong friends.

On Jan. 8, 2023, after a long battle with early onset dementia and congestive heart failure, Phyllis allowed her sun to set on this world, leaving behind two sons, four stepchildren, ten grandchildren and a host of cousins, friends, coworkers and classmates. As her physical light fades from this world, every single person touched by her brilliance and her indomitable spirit carries the lessons that she imparted unto them; the words of wisdom and the willpower for them to forge their own path in this world, just as she had done. She will be forever missed, forever cherished and forever loved.