Phyllis Embry

Phyllis Embry, 77, joined her beloved husband, Jimmy, in Heaven on June 20, 2021. She passed peacefully, in her home, surrounded by family. Born November 18, 1943, she was a firecracker from the start. The youngest of 11 brothers and sisters, she learned to love adventures quickly. When she wasn’t sneaking into her daddy’s garden to steal his strawberries (his little rabbit), she was roaming around the hills of Flax Patch with her siblings and her best friend, Little Duck. Her enthusiasm for ventures continued to lead her - and her loving soul (and spirited cousin, Cotton) to begin writing letters to a soldier in Vietnam, James (Jimmy) Carroll Embry. They quickly fell in love, and married as soon as his boots landed back on American soil. Joined by family and friends in a small wedding ceremony, on May 22, 1969. Their love was one for the ages - full of letters, poems, fishing, road trips, and lots of humor. On May 2, 1970, Phyllis and Jimmy, welcomed a baby boy, Darren J Embry, at Fort Knox. This was the second child to Jimmy as Phyllis was an adoring parent to James Christopher Embry. Phyllis and Jimmy went through everything together - and saw each other through their cancer battles, each leaving chemo treatment to always be with the other. When Jimmy was called home 23 years ago her beloved sons saw her through. She thrived on being their mom, their “big-shouldered girl.” Phyllis was absolutely giddy when she welcomed her grandchild, Jubilee Lenora Embry, on June 1, 2018. She spent every moment she could enjoying her Juju. Both Darren and Jubilee surrounded her with love as she joined Jimmy. Diagnosed at 48 with stage 3 ovarian cancer, she was a fighter and a warrior - and fought it into remission 5 times. She refused to let it defeat her. Through it all, she kept a smile on her face -and continued to be a “Road-Runner.” She was always up for another road trip - and loved traveling with her partners in crime, Dottie-Do and Dio. Her greatest joy was being there for the people that she loved. She was “Aunt Phyll” to all that knew her - whether they were family or friends, it didn’t matter. However, over the years she attained many names that she cherished. When she joined the Embry family, she was dubbed “Philco.” She went from Granny P to her dearest Megan Bradsworth, to Great Granny P to her sweet Patrick Ingham, and then Rowan Cole. In 2007, she got to give a nickname to her nephew, Nicholas Helmburg - she loved her “Tadpole.” In 2009, she became “Yummy” when her “Princess” and namesake, Embry Marshall was born. Her “Buckaroo,” Ryker Marshall, tried to dub her “Memo” in 2011, but he eventually came to call her Yummy as well. In 2018, she became “Yaya” to her treasured “Juju” - Jubilee Embry - who was her sunshine on every cloudy and uncloudy day. She had many names, and was so special to so many people. To know her, was to love her. Her strength, courage, optimism, and fortitude were a marvel. She never gave up, she simply decided she was ready to join her family and her Jimmy for another adventure on the other side. In addition to her sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews, she is survived by her special daughters-in-law, Brady Embry and Anne Embry; her cherished siblings, Bob (Pauline) Parks, H.B. (Martha) Parks, Sandra (John) Knox, Dorothy Justice, and Diane Fields; her loving sisters-in-law Brenda (Irv) Hach, Joanie (Billy) Jackson, Annie (Jerry) Smith, Kathy Lewis, Sue Mattingly; her brother-in-law, Garry (Carolyn) Embry; her irreplaceable friend, Carol Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins - whom she loved so very much. Phyllis said, “You have to grab happiness any way and time it comes around” - and she lived by those words. Her zest for life, her love for all, and her strength will be remembered and cherished, always, by those who were lucky enough to love her. The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Parker and the Hosparus staff for the love and care they provided at the end of Phyllis’s journey. Memorial Service will be Saturday July 10, 2021 2:00pm at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway. Visitation will be Saturday from 12:00-5:00pm at the funeral home. Cremation was chosen.

Phyllis Embry

November 18, 1943 - June 20, 2021