Phyllis Ann Davis

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Melissa Henry (Scott); her son, Matthew Davis (Susie); and three beloved grandchildren, Piro Sierra, Darien Davis, and Tyler Henry. Her eldest grandson held a particularly special place in her heart, and it is fitting that she passed on his birthday. She was predeceased by her parents, James Powell and Virginia “Sandy” Powell, and her former husbands.

Phyllis’s life began humbly in Logan County, West Virginia, the site of the Buffalo Creek mining disaster. Years later, she took great delight when her daughter encountered the disaster in a college business law class, prompting Phyllis to read the assigned material herself. That moment sparked a mother-daughter book club that endured for decades, fueled largely by their shared love of murder mysteries.

In the 1950s, her family relocated to New Port Richey, Florida, where she graduated from Gulf High School in 1965. Her life of service began early, as a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic and Eastern Star youth service organization. That commitment continued into adulthood through her involvement with the Junior Women’s Club and Leadership Pasco. She worked at various times in banking and in the family business.

By her mid-30s, Phyllis was a single parent who made the decision to enroll in college, determined to build a life of stability, purpose, and service for her family. She attended Pasco-Hernando Community College and went on to earn a degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo College, at a time when few women (single mothers in particular) pursued higher education or careers in law enforcement. Her academic achievement marked the beginning of a second act defined by leadership.

Phyllis transitioned from banking to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, where she quickly distinguished herself through her unique ability to work with and communicate effectively with children. She built a long and respected law enforcement career and ultimately retired with the rank of lieutenant, earning a notable record of arrests and convictions. She held positions of increasing responsibility and was trusted with some of the most difficult and sensitive cases.

For most of her career, Phyllis worked in the Crimes Against Children division, dedicating her professional life to protecting those who could not protect themselves. She pursued offenders relentlessly and with dogged determination. In one notable case, she tracked down and arrested a suspect in Texas who had staged his own death by pretending to jump off the Skyway Bridge, fleeing the state and assuming a false identity. Her work resulted in countless children being protected and abusers being held accountable.

Her professionalism, tenacity, and leadership earned her widespread respect within the law enforcement community. She was a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award from the Suncoast Girl Scout Council. Her children now keep a box filled with articles, commendations,

and acknowledgments documenting a career defined by courage and integrity. She was not only effective at her job, but she was also, quite simply, exceptional.

Beyond her formal role, Phyllis continued to advocate for vulnerable children and others through board service with Pasco Kids First and the Salvation Army (Pasco), extending her commitment to justice and care well beyond her badge.

Later in life, she developed a passion for collecting Depression-era glass, a hobby that did not quite capture the interest of future generations but brought her great joy. Above all else, however, her most important roles were mom and grandmother.

She believed deeply that her children should see more than their hometown. She began by taking them to local plays at the Richey Suncoast Theatre and traveling throughout Florida and the southeast always encouraging exposure to people from all walks of life. That same spirit carried into her role as grandmother. She lovingly cared for her grandchildren when they were young, attended as many school and sporting events as possible, and filled their days with trips to local museums to learn something new and to the “recycling store,” better known as Goodwill.

Phyllis will always be missed and lovingly remembered. Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Arbor Terrace in Tampa during her final days.