Phyllis Johnson Thornton of Edmond OK, passed on to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on December 2, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband Michael C Thornton and parents Phillip Johnson and Fern L Smith Johnson. Phyllis is survived by her son Justin G Thornton and daughter Jennifer D Thornton, daughter-in-law Heather A Thornton and grand-daughters Katrina A Thornton and Alyssa R Thornton.

Born December 16, 1947, in Sherman, Texas, to Fern L (Smith) and Phillip Johnson. Phyllis's childhood was spent traveling with the oil crew while Phillip worked on the seismograph. During junior high school they settled in Yuma Arizona where Fern and Phillip taught school. During summers they returned to Texas where Phyllis could visit family while Fern and Phillip worked on their master's degrees at East Texas State College. During one such summer while staying with her Grandmother Delle and attending Vacation Bible School, Phyllis was baptized into Christ at the Tom Bean Church of Christ.

Phyllis went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from San Diego State University (now the University of California, San Diego). It was at San Diego State that she met and married the love of her life Michael C Thornton. Phyllis and Michael had two children, Justin and Jennifer.

In 1980 while living in Yuma Arizona, Phyllis applied for and was hired for an emergency fill spring semester teaching position at Central State University in Edmond, OK (now University of Central Oklahoma). The position was advertised for a doctorate, and she only had a partial master's degree. While the rest of the family moved to Oklahoma, Phyllis started work on her doctorate at OSU while teaching as an adjunct professor at CSU. She went on to complete her Education Doctorate in Computer Science and eventually retired as department chair emeritus. Phyllis had a passion for teaching and mentorship where in addition to computer science she made a point to share her faith in Jesus.

Phyllis had a passion for cooking and baking. Phyllis and Mike loved to go on summer vacation camping adventures with their family ranging all over the United States, from Yellow Stone National Park to the Florida Keys. Phyllis and Michael were married for 53 years until his death in 2024. She was a devoted grandmother to her granddaughters Katrina and Alyssa, cherishing every moment spent with them.

A woman of faith, Phyllis was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and lived out her Christian convictions with quiet strength, kindness, and generosity. She held steadfast conservative values and believed deeply in service, family, and personal responsibility. In 1986 Phyllis and Mike took in and supported her sister-in-law Rebecca S Thornton.

Phyllis will be remembered for her intellect, integrity, gentle humor, and unwavering love for her family.