of Bryant, AR

April 12, 1947 - February 27, 2025

Phyllis Martin, a retired elementary school teacher from Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on February 27, 2025 at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.

Phyllis is survived by her youngest son, Michael Martin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert ''Bob'' Martin, her oldest son, Greg Martin, and her parents, Gordia ''Faye'' Lowry and Claude Lowry.

Phyllis was born on April 12, 1947 at the hospital in Warren, Arkansas while her parents were living in Fordyce, Arkansas. Her father had been discharged from the military following World War 2 but joined the US Air Force soon after Phyllis was born. When Phyllis was around the age of 3, they moved to Tampa, Florida. After a short period of time there, her father was transferred to Roswell, NM. He was medically discharged while living in Roswell, and he and his wife purchased and operated a local Dairy Queen. It was during this time that Phyllis would meet her future husband, Bob, while he was working for her parents at the Dairy Queen. Phyllis attended Roswell High School until her parents sold the Dairy Queen and returned to Arkansas. Phyllis attended classes at DeQueen, Arkansas but, after completing the 11th grade and having enough credits to graduate, she left high school to start college. Phyllis first attended ASU-Beebe and then completed her degree in education at Little Rock University.

Upon completion of her college education, Phyllis went to work as an elementary school teacher in Bryant, Arkansas. She left teaching for a time when her husband was transferred to Chicago, where their son Greg was born in 1971. Bob was ultimately transferred back to Little Rock and Phyllis resumed teaching at Bryant Elementary. Phyllis again left her job when Bob was briefly relocated to Indiana, where their son Michael was born in 1977. Soon after his birth, they again returned to Little Rock, Arkansas and Phyllis once more resumed teaching at Bryant Elementary, where she would work until she retired in 2008. Phyllis was very passionate about teaching and continued to serve as a substitute teacher at Bryant for many years after she retired.

Following Bob's retirement, they frequently traveled with her cousin Roxie and Roxie's husband Jack. Phyllis and Roxie were very close and could often be found shopping or having lunch together. Phyllis loved spending time with her family and with her friends. She was ever the optimist and could rarely be found without a smile on her face. It was difficult to be around Phyllis and not be uplifted by her joyous spirit.

Phyllis never had grandchildren of her own, but she called several children of friends and extended family her grandchildren. She was known as ''Nana'' to them, and she regularly attended their sporting events, music recitals, dance recitals, gymnastic competitions, etc. She proudly talked about them to anyone who would listen.

Outside of her family and friends, Phyllis was passionate about gardening. Those who visited her home were greeted by a stunning array of flowers and plants and Phyllis worked tirelessly maintaining what she had created. She was also an excellent baker, and all kinds of sweet delights were always in ample supply to be sampled by visitors and given away to friends and family.

Visitation and a celebration of Phyllis's life will both be held on Thursday, March 6th at the Roller Drummond Funeral Home at 10900 I-30 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation will begin at 12:30 PM, followed by the celebration of her life at 1:30 PM. This will be followed by a graveside service at 3:00 PM at Pinecrest Cemetery at 7401 Hwy 5 in Bryant, Arkansas.

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