Phyllis Irene (Wortman) Davidson, 89, of West Des Moines, IA, formerly of Centralia, IL, passed away Monday, May 3, 2021 at Arbor Springs Memory Care. She was the youngest of three children, joining her sister Vivian and brother Robert. She attended Sandoval school where she graduated a year early. She married Alfred Neal Davidson on March 4, 1951 in Boulder, IL and spent 51 happy years together. She worked in the Air Force Commissary in Rantoul, IL where Alfred was stationed. Phyllis and Alfred welcomed babies Phillip Neal in 1955 and Jon Mark in 1960. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, traveling with niece Barbara Jean, and fishing at the Shattuc farm. She and Alfred were always excited to have grandson Andrew stay with them at their home in Centralia. Phyllis loved tending to her flowers. The beautiful peonies in her backyard were her grandma Mamaw Wortman’s. She had many roses at the house and a big garden on the family farm in Shattuc. Phyllis grew up in the Diamond Springs Church, where she and Alfred took the boys for many years. They later were active members of the Calumet Street Christian Church. Many happy memories were made with Alfred, going to auctions and collecting antiques and dishes. Her granddaughters were grateful recipients of full sets of china. The whole family gathered for Centralia Balloon Fest, of which the highlight was Tony the Tiger landing in the street near the house. (That was unplanned and quite a thrill for the grandkids!) Alfred and Phyllis loved to travel. Jon joined them on a memorable trip to Alaska where they raved about the fish cookouts. Phyllis was an avid reader and watcher of John Wayne movies and the Bill Gaither Homecoming shows.
A Celebration of Life Service for Phyllis Davidson will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia. Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Calumet Street Christian Church or the Centralia Foundation C/O Recreation Complex and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801, (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Davidson family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook Page.
She is survived by sons Phillip Davidson (Rebecca) of Leawood KS and Jon Davidson (Lisa Stange) of West Des Moines, IA; grandson Andrew (Brittany) and great grandchildren Evelyn and Eddie from Nashville, Tennessee; granddaughters Anna (West Des Moines) and Elizabeth (St. Louis); niece Barbara Jean Bohlander (Rick) of Guymon, OK; nephews Gary Stone (Veronica) of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico and David Stone (Cristina) of Thomas, OK; and many grand nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was born August 22, 1931 in Patoka Illinois to Wiley Maben and Lela Elizabeth (Walker) Wortman. Her husband Alfred Davidson preceded her in death in 2002, as did sister Vivian Stone and brother Robert Wortman.
