Phyllis Gayle Barnes Buttram

Phyllis Gayle (Barnes) Buttram was born February 24, 1919 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, and joined our heavenly hosts on November 3, 2011 in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Phyllis then went to work for Douglas Aircraft for a few years. She met Dorsey R. Buttram while singing in the choir at First Christian Church in OKC, whom she agreed to marry on August 21, 1943, a marriage that lasted 63 years until his death in 2006. Phyllis had a tremendous love for opera and a beautiful singing voice. In fact, if it were not for her devotion as a mother and a wife, she could have had a career as a professional opera singer. Her sons remember being embarrassed when they would come home from school with friends and Phyllis would be practicing her "scales." We have fond memories of the house being filled with her beautiful voice. Phyllis had a passion for china, glassware, and lace. She always enjoyed setting a beautiful table, especially at the OKC Early American Glass Club's annual function. She had a marvelous collection of antique lace and enjoyed presenting programs about lace. Phyllis, with Dorsey, loved entertaining and cooking for their many friends and fellow club members in their home. Phyllis belonged to the Civic Music Association, D.A.R., Jr. League, OKC Early American Glass Club, Lace Club, Chaine des Rotisseurs, English Speaking Union, Oklahoma Art League, Oklahoma Orchestra League, Art Renaissance, and was an avid supporter of the Tulsa Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence & Mabel Barnes; and her husband, Dorsey Buttram Sr. Phyllis is survived by her two sons, Dorsey Buttram Jr. (Randy) and Preston Buttram, both of Oklahoma City; two granddaughters: Kimberly Schloemer and husband Erich of Heath, Texas; Kristen Beery and husband Matthew of Addison, Texas; and three great-grandsons, Matthew and Ryan Schloemer and Benjamin Beery. We have lost a beautiful voice here on earth. Phyllis has passed on to sing in heaven. Those of us who knew her know that she is happily playing piano and amusing all the angels with her marvelous wit. The family would also like to thank Johnnie Marsh, a very special person, for being such a great help and dear friend not only to Phyllis but to the whole family for the last 25 years. The family also requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buttram String Awards, c/o The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, 1000 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Services will be held at 2:00, Wednesday, November 9th, at Hahn-Cook/ Street Draper Funeral Home.