Phyllis Patricia McCullough

Phyllis P. McCullough - there isn't a soul who knew her and didn't love her. Anyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her, believed it, saw it in her actions and may have even heard her say, "I always wanted to be a mother." Motherhood was truly her life's work and not just reserved for the four children shared between her and her late husband, Clarence "Mac" McCullough.

Phyllis P., as Mac would often affectionately call her, provided, to anyone who needed it, the kind of love, comfort, and guidance that some could only hope to receive. She was a nurturer through and through, even earning the nickname "Auntie Mom" from one of her nieces.

She never hesitated to lend a helping hand, volunteering wherever needed. Her charitable nature was so strong that finally a school, where she frequently volunteered, called her just before the school year was to begin and asked if they could pay her for her services on a permanent basis. Phyllis was vibrant in every sense of the word.

Phyllis was born on March 10, 1931. She grew up as the second youngest of nine children in Montreal, Canada, to parents of the West Indies, all of which was heard in her accent. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Phyllis became a skilled seamstress. What started as a way to assist her mother as her vision failed, became a hobby she enjoyed immensely. She often sent her children to events in the latest fashions at a fraction of the cost and was also able to supplement the family’s income through her sewing skills.

She enjoyed all sports, competed and excelled. Two lasting reminders are the remnants of an injury sustained by an ice hockey puck to the mouth and a newspaper article from the 1940's celebrating the Montreal Brown Dodgers softball team of which she was one of the youngest members and the captain. As her children grew, she encouraged them to try every sport possible.  If a sport wasn't available, she put it together herself and coached it, lending her expertise not only to her children but any child who cared to learn.

After marrying her husband, an American soldier, she was able to see much of the world and approached each new experience with gusto and courage. Throughout their marriage, her husband deployed to both peacetime missions and war. Through it all, he felt support from home. She kept the home fires burning and their children thriving.

She was abundantly generous, whether it was with her time, her patience, her joy, or her delicious food. Ever the hostess with the mostest, Phyllis routinely welcomed extended family on most holidays and provided a home away from home to young soldiers when deployed.

Phyllis passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, at the age of 94.

In addition to her husband, Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lavinia Sealey; siblings, Hugh Sealey, George Sealey, Lucille Sealey, Enid Sealey, Winnifred Sealey, Milton Sealey, Vivian Davis, and Edward Sealey.

Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory her children, Lavinia Durman of Dallas, TX, Gary (Kimberly) McCullough of Playa Vista, CA; Renee (Charles) Folsom of Stone Mountain, GA, and Cheryl Gerdes of Naperville, IL; grandchildren, Aaron (Erica) McCullough, Danielle Durman, Phylisia Durman, Ian (Hailey) McCullough, Grace McCullough, Jamie Durman, Nina Gerdes, Bryce Folsom, Annika Gerdes, and McKenzie Folsom; great grandchildren, Riley McCullough, Jackson McCullough, Cairo Smith, Hendrick Carpenter; along with a host of other relatives and friends all of whom will forever feel her love like a handprint on their hearts.

Celebration of life 11 am Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Greater Allen AME Church, 1620 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Visitation 10 am- 11 am at which time family will receive friends. Interment Dayton National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis Patricia McCullough, please visit our floral store.