Phyllis A Montgomery

Phyllis Ann Mitchell Montgomery, 83, peacefully passed away at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, FL on July 10, 2025. She was born October 25, 1941, in Louisville, KY to the late C. W. and Stella Flood Mitchell.

Phyllis graduated in 1959 from New Albany High School in New Albany, Indiana. Shortly after high school, Phyllis and her family relocated to the Tampa, FL area where she married her high school sweetheart, Dallas Montgomery, on January 30, 1960. They were married 39 years before his passing. Phyllis and Dallas moved to Gainesville, FL where Dallas studied Civil Engineering at University of Florida. In May 1962, Phyllis and Dallas welcomed a son, Darrel; and in October 1963 they welcomed a daughter, Marsha.

After graduation, Dallas’ profession took the family to Lakeland FL, where the family resides to this day. But their time in Gainesville made them University of Florida GATOR fans forever. Phyllis and Dallas enjoyed anything sports, and always watched, if unable to attend, any GATOR sport available. They were season ticket holders for many years and traveled with friends and family to watch many away games as well as SEC and NCAA tournaments.

Phyllis and Dallas enjoyed bowling with friends. They participated in many bowling leagues traveling to tournaments all over the country. They were always up for a trip to Las Vegas to play the slots.

Phyllis loved the Smoky Mountains. She and her family made many vacation trips to the area over the years. In later years, after Dallas’ homegoing, Phyllis enjoyed many trips to Franklin NC in the Smoky Mountains with her sister Melinda.

Originally from Kentucky, Phyllis enjoyed the Derby events and often travelled home to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with Kentucky family and friends. She loved the tradition of celebrating Aunt Dorothy’s birthday at Churchill Downs through imbibing in an Oaks Lily or Mint Julep as the track bugler played “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Like her mother, Phyllis was an accomplished seamstress and later in life took up machine embroidery and quilting. She has left many handmade treasures for her family to enjoy in her memory.

Phyllis was generous with her time. She was known to selflessly drop everything to help a friend or relative in need.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Marsha Wilkes (Patrick) and her son Darrel Montgomery (Joy); granddaughters Amanda Franson (Kenneth), Kelly Wilkes, and Dallas Montgomery; great-grandsons, Benjamin, Joshua and Kaleb Franson; her sister Melinda Mitchell McCarley and her brother Jerry Mitchell. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Dallas Montgomery, her sisters-in-law, Delrose Montgomery and Shirley Mitchell and her brothers-in-law Gerald McCarley and Dale Montgomery.

Arrangements are being handled by Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory. A celebration of life is scheduled for August 23, 2025, at the home of her daughter. Friends and relatives may visit from 1 pm - 4 pm, at 9351 Redhawk Bend Drive, Lakeland, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Phyllis’ name to the Good Shepherd Hospice House, or the donor’s charity of choice.

The family would like to thank the care team of Good Shepherd Hospice House for their loving care of Phyllis and her family during her illness.