Phyllis Eileen Blythe, 86, died May 10, 2015, at Great Bend Regional Hospital. She was born June 16, 1928, at Williamsburg, the daughter of Clyde E. and Ruth (Decker) Todd.
She married Donald N. Blythe Aug. 6, 1948, at Williamsburg.

 
Phyllis was a member of 4-H and the Civil Air Patrol during high school. She attended Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia from 1946 to 1950, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Her first teaching assignment was as a second grade teacher at Coldwater Elementary from 1950 to 1951. The couple moved to San Diego, Calif., during the Korean Conflict while Don served in the United States Navy.  In 1952, they moved to Great Bend and she operated a day-care from 1960 to 1970. She returned to the classroom in 1970, teaching sixth grade at Eisenhower and Park Elementary schools, retiring in 1985. From 1986 to 1989 she worked at the YMCA of the Rockies, returning to Great Bend in 1990. She enjoyed spending winter months in Mesa, Ariz.

A gracious, kind-hearted soul who knew no strangers, Phyllis touched many lives during her years as a teacher. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, playing golf and cards, was a killer shuffleboard player, as well as enjoyed camping and traveling.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Silver Cougar Club, and Barton County Association of Retired School Personnel, all of Great Bend, and Theta Sigma Upsilon Sorority at Emporia.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Donald N. Blythe, of the home; three sons, Jerry Blythe and his wife Susan of Colstrip, Mont., Neal Blythe and his wife Sheryl of Westminster, Colo., and Kent Blythe and his wife Jeanne of Longmont, Colo.; two daughters, Jean Allen and her husband Bruce of Carrollton, Texas, and Karen Kotzman and her husband Greg of Shawnee; one sister, Patty Gentry of Waverly; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Rodney Ray Blythe.

A private family inurnment will be held in Great Bend Cemetery. There will be no services. Memorials are requested to American Heart Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home**
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 13, 2015