Phyllis Joan McKay's Obituary
Phyllis McKay Obituary
Phyllis Joan Wurm McKay was born on November 9, 1926, to John and Lydia Unger Wurm in a small Northwest Kansas town called Traer. She passed away on November 20, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Phyllis was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Oberlin, Kansas. She attended a small country school for grade school and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1944 and was the 1943 Homecoming Queen. On November 8, 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, James McKay and settled into becoming a farmer's wife in the Prairie Dog Township near Oberlin. Two daughters were born-Cheryl McKay Davison and Jamie McKay Brewster.
Phyllis McKay led a VERY active life. She had many hobbies throughout her life such as ceramics, woodworking, quilting, cake decorating, sewing, gardening, knitting, crocheting, flower arranging, etc. She lived on a farm for many years and had huge gardens, raised chickens, moved irrigation pipes, drove trucks and was an active leader in 4-H when her girls were involved. She turned her sewing and cake decorating skills into a business, Cakes by Phyllis. She designed and made many wedding dresses and cakes as well as catering the receptions.
Phyllis and her husband, Jim, served as Santa and Mrs. Claus for many years in Oberlin and the surrounding communities. They arrived for the annual Christmas parades on fire trucks, helicopters, sleighs, wagons with a team of horses and motor scooters. They both loved to see the happy smiles on all the children's faces.
After the death of her husband in 1977, Phyllis moved to Oberlin, Kansas where she continued to be active in the community. Phyllis served on the Oberlin City Council and was the chairman of the Oberlin Centennial Celebration. She purchased a local business, Expressions of Home, a drapery and upholstery business. She sold and installed window treatments and upholstery all over Northwest Kansas.
Phyllis moved to Jenks. OK in 2003 to be closer to family. She owned several sewing and embroidery machines that she used to create baby blankets, towels, and clothing. Many babies were lucky to receive one of her creations. She also took classes to become a Master Gardener in Kansas. Her yards in Oberlin, Kansas and Jenks, Oklahoma became her passion. She was well over 80 when we sold her lawn mower, because she was mowing in 90 plus degree heat.
She did this and more. She had time to be active in her church, both in Oberlin, Kansas at St. John's Lutheran Church and Tulsa, Oklahoma at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church. She participated in Lutheran Women's Missionary League, choir, led children's choir and faithfully greeted visitors with a bag of homemade banana bread. Phyllis was a Godmother to more than ten children.
All this activity helped her to live over 97 years.
She is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl Davison and husband Dale of Tulsa and Jamie Brewster of Kingwood, Texas as well as six grandchildren: Jason Brewster (Jennifer), Anna Brewster Taylor (Steve), Allison Brewster Silk (Dusty), Kara Davison Howard (Clint), Kendra Davison Hagen (Bryan) and Keely Davison Lewis (Scott) and 12 great grandchildren: Sarah, William , Ethan, and Henry Brewster; Jackson, Patton and Reagan Taylor; James Silk; Kinley and Campbell Howard; and Kepler and Aldrin Lewis.
Memorial services will be held at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2550 E 71st Street, Tulsa, OK 74136 at 10 AM on Saturday, December 16, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: St. John's Lutheran Church, 510 Wilson Avenue, Oberlin, KS 67749.
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