HATTIEVILLE — Phylis Lynn Masingill Williams
passed away October 22, 2022.
She was born February 4, 1945, to the late Vida Golden Masingill and Woodrow Wilson Masingill.
She graduated from England High School in 1963 and received a scholarship to play collegiate basketball. She married Lawerence “Tuffy” Williams June 11, 1965, and they celebrated 57 years together this June. While Dad was in the Navy, Mom loved living in Puerto Rico, especially snorkeling. She was a homemaker and co-founder of Williams Family Farms. Mom was a Christian and lifelong member of Old Hickory Missionary Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ann Halbrook; and brother, Van Masingill.
She is survived by her husband, Tuffy; daughters, Laura (Ron) Burgener, Wendy Williams, and Mandy (Jeremy) Thompson; grandchildren, Jordan (Ken) Anderson, Kaitlynn Burgener, Chris (Sarah) Burgener, Leslie (CT) Mosley, Cason and Marcy Burgener, and Mylo Thompson; great-grandchildren, Josie and Porter Anderson; a sister, Donna (Richard) Bell; and a brother, Woodie Masingill.
Our Mom was much more than names and dates to us. She was the beloved matriarch of our family. She especially loved spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She told us many times when we grew up we would get to be the boss, which wasn’t true of course; she was always in charge. In later life, she didn’t enjoy travel but went on vacations with us anyway just to spend time with her daughters and grandchildren.
She was an avid basketball fan and loved to watch the Duke Blue Devils and Arkansas Razorbacks play. We were blessed to take her on a bucket list trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., to see Coach K and the Blue Devils play in person.
She was the best taxi service for her grandchildren and was always willing to haul them to soccer, basketball, cheer, the dentist, the orthodontist, and wherever else they needed to go.
Mom was bossy, always right, and without exception had an opinion that she did not hesitate to share with us. Her favorite place on earth was her and Dad’s farm, and we always called her Dad’s number one farm hand. She ran her own chicken houses for 35 years, and had her own tractor no one else was allowed to drive.
She loved cutting hay and counting newborn calves in the spring, and burning brush in the fall. With a few notable exceptions, she was the best cook we have ever known. The exploding pinto beans on the kitchen ceiling on Christmas day story is legendary. Her baked beans, fried corn, chocolate cherry cake and banana pudding were famous.
Our family was devastated when she was diagnosed with lung cancer February 22, 2022. We are grateful for the love and support of Mom’s friends and extended family members, especially Janet Hall. Mom spent the last eight months fighting cancer with a determination and grace that gave us strength. We are grateful for the staff at Conway Carti especially Sheri, Allison and Allison and Conway Regional Hospital, 3 South, especially James, Haley and Tyson. We are also thankful for the love and ministry of Pastor Blake Martin. Mom died as she lived, at her favorite place, surrounded by her family and all the love we could give her. We will celebrate a life well lived at Old Hickory Baptist Church October 29 at 11:00, family visitation at 10:00. Casual dress, Mom’s favorite color was green. In lieu of flowers or food, Mom requested donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital ITU or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to fight pediatric cancer.
Service and arrangements are by Rosewood Funerals and Cremations of Morrilton & Conway 1715 E. Harding St. Morrilton, Ark. 501-477-2228. www.rosewoodcremation.com.