Inspiration. Positivity. Faith.

Three strong words that members of the Tamaqua community used to describe the Rev. Phyllis Wolford.

Wolford, the well-known and respected pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tamaqua since 2008, died earlier this week.

“My wife, Johanna, headed the call committee,” said St. John congregation member and Tamaqua native Stephen Ulicny. “There were a number of people from the church that were on the call committee, but she was sort of the leader of it. I met pastor Phyllis as early as possible in her work with St. John’s. We were there from the beginning and we were very fortunate, first of all, to have a pastor - but to have her.

“When you find a true pastor, they’re not just talking the talk - they’re walking the walk. It’s very evident when you meet those people. She was absolutely the embodiment of that.”

Rev. Wolford was born in Palmerton and was a graduate of the town’s high school. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bryant College and later earned her master’s from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Wolford has many professional experiences, which included working for the Palmerton Area School District and also as administrative assistant for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit for nearly 20 years.

Deb Davies, a congregation member of neighboring Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua, teamed up to teach Bible school with Wolford for many years. She cherishes many memories of Wolford.

“She became pastor at St. John’s and we approached each other and thought maybe we could have vacation Bible school combined between the two churches,” Davies said.

“St. John’s never had one (at the time). We then decided that we would work together and organize it. We had it at Zion. For many, many years, she was the Bible school leader in terms of the opening, telling the Bible story and the closing.

“I think the main thing I have to say about Pastor Phyllis - she always inspired me. No matter what she was going through, she always had such a deep faith. Because of that, she was always so positive and happy. I learned so much for her. We had many faith discussions, and her faith was just so strong and it gave me strength in talking to her.”

Michael Haspe, member of neighboring Zion, said Wolford was always smiling.

“I know her from working as the Christian Education Director at Zion. I loved her passion for teaching about Christ,” Haspe added. “I am heartbroken for the people of her congregation. There was no better pastor to fit the needs of St. John’s in my opinion.”

Wolford had many hobbies. Ulicny noted her love of college basketball and the Star Wars films.

“For all of the four or five new movies that came out, I think she went to see all of them with us, as like an opening weekend kind of thing,” said Ulicny. “She would work them into her sermons a little. I’ll always remember that. Not every pastor is like hey, let’s talk Star Wars for a bit. She was a huge sports fan as well. When March Madness rolled around, she always asked if I did my bracket.

“She was very real. She was very genuine. If she did something, she was always doing it 100 percent. … There was no question you knew where she was coming from. She did not guard her intentions. She was a real wonderful person who is gone too soon.”