Phyllis Keeney Gilchrist peacefully left this life on August 17, 2024, hearing the words of her children telling her they love her, and immediately entered the presence of her Lord Jesus, hearing Him tell her He loves her, and welcome home.

Phyllis was born on November 13, 1930, in Anjean, WV, to Howard and Sona Dell Bennett.  She started nursing school at age 16 and graduated as a registered nurse at age 19.  She lived and raised 4 children in Marmet, WV, before relocating to Sherman, TX in 1980 where she worked in human resources at Libbey Owens Ford until retirement.

Phyllis lived a life of faith in God.  She loved to laugh, go to estate sales, and she enjoyed traveling with her family and friends.  She enjoyed visits to England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Israel, Hong Kong, and Hawaii, among others.

She was preceded in death by the father of her children, Dana B "Pedro" Keeney.  She eloped at age 82 with James (Jim) Gilchrist, who preceded her in death after 6 1/2 happy years.  She was also preceded in death by her mother Sona Dell Bennett, her father and stepmother Howard and Cynthia Bennett, her sister Helen Murray, her brother and sister-in-law Lester and Ann Bennett and her stepdaughter, Jane Ann (Gilchrist) Wilson.

Phyllis is survived by her brothers Lloyd and Daisy Bennett, Dolby and Rhonda Bennett, her sister Esther Shreve and Dave Shreve, her children Dana Keeney and Paul Young, Donna and John Jacobs, Darla and Rick Eakerns, and Denise and Kyle Boren, and her grandchildren Johnna Jacobs, Jenna Jacobs and Tyler O'Cull, Sara and Matt Fitzgerald, Zach and Emily Eakerns, David, Zane (Irene Chi), and Jessica Boren, her great grandchildren Ty, Sadie Marie, Coy, Khloe, and Abby, and her nieces and nephews Tom Bennett, Susan Burby, Janie Bennett, Tim Bennett, Pam Murray McCoy, Michele Porteous, and Gee Murray. Welcome Loubaki, a college student from Gabon, Africa, lived with Phyllis until he achieved his college degree.  He also became like a son in her heart.

Love never ends.  Mom is still with us.  She is with us in the love that she gave to us, and in us remembering how she made us laugh and smile.

A celebration of life will be held at Waldo Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August 23 at 2 p.m.