Phyllis grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, traveling back and forth to Laurel to be near family. She graduated from Natchez High School in 1956. She then enrolled in Mississippi State College for Women which was the sister college to Mississippi State University, where she met Lloyd Johnson. They were married in the summer of 1957 and moved to Houston, Texas in 1958 to raise their family. Phyllis was always involved in her church choirs at Park Memorial Baptist Church, Willow Meadows Baptist Church and Sugar Land Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, spending time with her friends and shopping.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Lee “Coach” Johnson, father S.W. Holder and mother Lessie Holder. She is survived by her children Stephanie Gebhardt, Stacie Rouze and Lee Johnson; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her brother, Raymond Holder and many cousins.
A memorial service is scheduled on January 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Sugar Land Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 SW Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.
