Phyllis Jean George

On February 18, 2025, Phyllis Jean Campbell George passed away peacefully at her home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was 97 years young. Phyllis was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on September 20, 1927 and grew up in Hulbert, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Francis George; her sister, Anna Lee Campbell Gassaway; and her parents, Alvin Euwin Campbell and Bertha Lee Eller Campbell. Phyllis grew up with a large extended family. Her father traveled around the country painting oil towers for Phillips, so she would stay with her aunts and cousins when she was not traveling with her parents. Phyllis excelled in school and would proudly tell the story of her high school teachers sending her out to a one-room schoolhouse in the country to teach reading to young students. Her family later moved to Muskogee, where she went on a double-blind date and met her soon-to-be husband, Bill. Bill was not her date that night but they instantly connected on the dance floor. They were married for 63 years. Phyllis was a terrific dancer and enjoyed Big Band Music. She and Bill rarely missed a chance to “cut a rug” at anniversaries and parties and wowed everyone with their impressive jitterbug. Phyllis had an extraordinary gift for making everyone feel at ease and welcome. She dedicated her life to her family, always there with a listening ear and a warm embrace. She also nurtured deep, lasting relationships with friends, some spanning over 70 years. Her home was always open, serving as a gathering place for family and friends. This was partly due to her excellent cooking skills. She treated guests with wonderful meals and was especially known for her unrivaled beef gravy and her decadent cheesecake. Her house was typically full and festive on holidays. At one family gathering, she looked at all of her children and said, “When I look in your faces, things fall into place and I know my reason for being.” An avid bridge player for much of her life, Phyllis played regularly with a group of long-time friends for decades and continued playing in two community groups until recently. She earned a bridge masterpoint when she was in her 90’s. Phyllis loved to travel with friends and family. She and her sister, aunts and cousins took many memorable trips together all over the United States. She experienced a “trip of a lifetime” when she traveled with family to London, England and Rome, Italy. A voracious reader favoring mysteries and romance novels, she was a regular at the Muskogee public library for many years. It was difficult to keep her book supply fresh as she devoured books in rapid succession. She reread many books because there were no new ones to read. Phyllis was active in her community over the decades. She volunteered at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, TN in the early 1970s. She also volunteered at Muskogee Regional Hospital and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church Alter Society. In the late 1970’s Phyllis earned her real estate license and was a realtor for about a decade. She later became a small business owner, pursuing her lifelong interest in and appreciation of antiques. She partnered with a friend to open and operate “Yesteryear,” an antique store on South Main St. in Muskogee. She loved traveling around the country searching for “treasures” she could add to the store’s inventory. She is survived by her five children Jean Kingston, spouse George Kingston, of Muskogee, OK; Katherine George of Muskogee, OK; William (Bill) George of Muskogee, OK; Thomas George, spouse Kate McGonagle, of Ann Arbor, MI; and Lisa Shotts, spouse Kyle Shotts, of Jenks, OK. She is also survived by two half-brothers, Richard Campbell of Florida and Leslie Campbell of Oklahoma City. Phyllis has 6 grandchildren, Stephen Kingston, Meghan Sawyer, Mitchel Shotts, Molly Shotts, Abigail Deshpande and Reya George, and 5 greatgrandchildren, Savana Kingston, Shane Kingston, Fox Sawyer, Golden Sawyer and Kiran Deshpande. A celebration of her life will be held at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York, Muskogee, OK on March 8 at 1:00pm. To honor Phyllis's love of reading please consider making a donation to Gaining Ground – a non-profit organization that gives books to children living in underserved communities. www.Gaininggroundliteracy.org

Phyllis Jean George

September 20, 1927 - February 18, 2025