Phyllis Elaine McBride, 77, of Marshville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026, at Atrium Health Union – Monroe following a long illness.

Born on August 14, 1949, in Asheboro, North Carolina, Phyllis attended Asheboro High School and spent much of her life doing what she loved most—making people feel beautiful and making them feel at home.

Phyllis was an accomplished hair stylist who devoted nearly fifty years to her craft. Over the course of her career, she established salons in Asheboro, Atlanta, and Greensboro and became known for her exceptional talent, particularly with hair color and braiding. Her work took her around the world, including many years working aboard cruise ships as a hair stylist. She was a true expert at her craft and took great pride in the people she served.

Phyllis was also one of the hardest-working people her friends ever knew. She possessed an extraordinary work ethic and rarely shied away from a challenge. She built her career through determination, persistence, and a willingness to work for what she wanted. Whether behind the chair in her salon or working aboard a cruise ship far from home, Phyllis gave her work everything she had. Her success as a stylist was not simply a reflection of her talent, but of the dedication and effort she brought to her craft every day.

A lifelong adventurer, Phyllis was a world traveler who collected experiences and friendships wherever she went. She was also a devoted Duke basketball fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer for the Blue Devils.

But Phyllis's greatest gifts were found in her home and in the people she loved. She was an outstanding cook, famous among family and friends for her biscuits, Thanksgiving dressing, chicken piccata, and hummingbird cake. Her home was a place where everyone was welcome, especially her son's friends. Phyllis had a remarkable ability to make people feel like they belonged. She was, in every sense, a mom to all.

Phyllis was a devoted daughter to her mother, Mallie Mae McBride, and a loving sister. She was a cherished mother to her only son, Joshua Madsen of Marshville, North Carolina, and a loving mother-in-law and grandmother to Laura Madsen and their girls. Josh was her greatest love and one of the greatest sources of joy in her life.

In her later years, Phyllis found a special kind of happiness in her four granddaughters—Loralei, Olivia, Malloree, and Scarlett. She delighted in teaching them to be silly, to laugh, and most importantly, to be kind. Her love and influence will remain a part of each of them for the rest of their lives.

Phyllis was also a lifelong animal lover. She never met a dog or cat she couldn't charm, and animals seemed to recognize in her the same warmth that people did.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mallie Mae McBride; and her siblings, Rick McBride, Phillip McBride, Dale Maness, Brenda Knonenborg, Saundra McBride, and Pamela McBride.

She is survived by her son, Joshua Madsen of Marshville, North Carolina; daughter-in-law, Laura Madsen; granddaughters, Loralei, Olivia, Malloree, and Scarlett; her sisters, Vena Seibert (Dan) of Marietta, Georgia, and Lynn McBride of Tampa, Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind countless friends and extended family members whose lives she touched throughout her remarkable life.

Phyllis will be remembered for her talent, her extraordinary work ethic, her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, her adventurous spirit, her love of family, her generosity, her cooking, her fierce love of animals, and the way she opened her home and her heart to others.

Most of all, she will be remembered simply as Mom.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the countless physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, technicians, aides, and other healthcare professionals at Atrium Health Union – Monroe who cared for Phyllis throughout her illness. Their skill, compassion, patience, and dedication gave Phyllis every opportunity to fight and brought comfort to her and her family during an extraordinarily difficult time. We will always be grateful for the care they gave her.

A celebration of Phyllis's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 3, 2026, with arrangements entrusted to Gordon Funeral Service in Monroe, North Carolina.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com