Ross
Phyllis Elaine Ross, a beloved 76-year-old resident of Greenville, Okla., peacefully passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Brighton Senior Living Center in Ardmore, Okla.
Phyllis was born on September 23, 1948, in Clinton, Okla., to Jack and Alice (Hatchett) Stewart. She had seven siblings but later gained five more when her mother married Fred Taylor, whom she lovingly considered her father. Family was at the heart of everything she did, and she cherished each of her siblings deeply. Maggie was her oldest sister, followed by her younger siblings: Linda, Glenda, Mike, Johnny, Anita and Joeta. Phyllis embraced her nieces and nephews with the same unwavering love she gave to her own children. Her home was an open door. She also treasured her brothers- and sisters-in-law, who became an integral part of her life and extended family, sharing in laughter, memories and the joy of togetherness.
As a young woman, Phyllis worked at a sewing factory in Madill, Okla., before finding her way to Michelin Tires, where she spent over 30 years building lifelong friendships she considered family. After retiring, she realized she missed working and spent another seven years serving at the Ardmore Veterans Center. No matter where she worked, Phyllis was known for her vibrant personality, unwavering kindness, and love for life.
Phyllis married Steve Khoury in 1968, and together they shared 23 years, raising their two children, Joe and Lisa, as well as gaining a wonderful extended family. Debbie, Francine, Danny, Vivian and Mickey were like her brothers and sisters, not just by marriage. She also remained close to her nieces and nephews from this union.
Her son, Joseph Michael Khoury, passed away in 1991 at just 22 years old. This unimaginable heartbreak forever changed Phyllis’s life, but her deep faith in the Lord and trust in His plan sustained her. She held on to the hope that she would see him again one day—a belief that carried her through her grief and gave her strength in the face of sorrow. Her children would want you to know she was the best mom God could have chosen for them. She always put their needs first, loved as deeply as a person can love, and showed them what truly mattered in life.
In time, Phyllis met a man who helped her through this grief, and she spent the rest of her life loving him. On February 14, 1992, she married her forever soulmate, Joe Andy Ross. Through this beautiful union, she embraced two more children, Joey and Linda, and grew to love his family like her own—cherishing their grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
The love between Phyllis and Joe was rare and precious— they were best friends and each other’s light. Even as dementia stole her memories, something in her still recognized Joe’s love. When he visited, she lit up with joy, and his voice singing You Are My Sunshine always brought a glow to her face.
Phyllis was born again through her faith, accepting the Lord into her heart at Enos Baptist Church in the early 1980s. Her passion for serving the Lord was unwavering, and she dedicated herself to working with youth, determined to share the joy of knowing Christ. Many lives were changed by her persistence and love as she encouraged others to strengthen their faith.
Among her most memorable experiences was her trip to California, where she was a contestant on The Price Is Right. Phyllis always had a video camera in hand, capturing treasured family moments. Her nieces and nephews affectionately called her “Aunt Philm-Us,” a playful nickname reflecting her love for filming. Her home was always open to family, serving as a second home for nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She valued making memories and taught the importance of cherishing time with loved ones, always planning the next gathering—whether a family reunion in Guthrie, Okla., or a weekend visit with her kids and grandkids.
Even as she grew older, Phyllis never lost her playful spirit—whether dancing, dressing up, searching for bargains or simply being surrounded by family. To know her was to love her.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ruth and Fred Taylor; her biological father, Jack Stewart; belovedson,JosephKhoury;siblings,Mike,Joeta,andJohnny Stewart, Vonda Christian, Freddie and Bobby Taylor, Evelyn Nailieux; and Linda Melick.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Joe, of the home; children, Lisa and Joe Leming of Sulphur, Okla.; Linda Putman of Davis, Okla.; Joey and Missy Ross of Lone Grove, Okla.; and siblings, Glenda Bishop, Linda Parks, Anita and Richie Leon; grandchildren, Chastyne and Dusty O’Steen, Joey, Drake, Dagan and Matthew Leming, Angie and Darren Miller, Sarah Putman and Alex Martinez, Shana Wuestenfeld and family, Travis Putman and family, Dustin Putman and family, Hannah and Cody Meldau, Lane Ross; great-grandchildren, Charslee and Bearett O’Steen, Noah and Lilly Birkenfeld, Rhett, Corbin and Layton Miller, Sammy Jo and Lindy Martinez, Lilly Meldau.
Beyond her immediate family, Phyllis’s love knew no bounds. She treasured her countless cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends, each holding a special place in her heart. Whether through laughter, shared memories or quiet moments of kindness, she made sure they knew they were loved. Her home, her hugs and her unwavering warmth were a testament to the deep affection she carried for all who were blessed to know her.
A memorial service will be held at Enos Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 28, at 2 p.m. with Ray Vinson and Joe Patterson officiating. Services have been entrusted to Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Marietta.
Online condolences can be left for the family at www. wattsfuneralhome.com.