Phyllis Jean Overson Cameron

Phyllis Jean Overson Cameron age 93 passed away peacefully on Monday May 30, 2022. She was born to Henry Victor Overson and Jessie Frances Rice on February 18, 1929 in Williams, Arizona and was the eldest of four children. She grew up in Flagstaff and enjoyed many outdoor activities. She learned at a very young age to cook, sew, crochet, garden, care for the family animals, shoot a .22 and helped her father in his carpentry trade. She met the love of her life, Eugene Grant Cameron, when she was in 8th grade and he in high school. She wrote him faithfully while he served in the US Navy and again while he was in Argentina serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this time, Phyllis also learned how to fly single propeller airplanes and because of her small size was able to log her flight hours by breaking in the new engines. She received her pilot’s license and enjoyed flying until 1949 when she moved from Flagstaff.

Not long after Gene returned from his mission, they married in December 1949 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. The happy couple moved to Phoenix where they raised their nine children (except for a short time they lived in Nevada). In 1956 they purchased the family home where she lived for 63 years. She was instrumental in helping Gene with all the home improvements, gardening, maintenance, and all aspects of the home. She always maintained a large vegetable garden to supplement the family budget and help the family appreciate the origin of our food. She learned to care for bees and extract the honey and was always very resourceful to take care of the needs of the family. Phyllis worked from home doing telephone surveys and later worked with Gene as the church custodians. She retired in 1994 and cared for Gene until he passed away in 1997 and also cared for her mother until she passed away in 2003.

Phyllis dedicated her entire life to serving Heavenly Father and her family. She served in the Relief Society and as a homemaking leader sharing her knowledge with others. She was a great example of so many things. She served the Young Women Organization cooking for the annual girl’s camp and served as the ward and stake librarian for many years. She was an organizer, teacher, cook, nurse, disciplinarian, gardener, cheer squad, bookkeeper, and carpenter. She was industrious, self-reliant, positive, kind, and faithful. She taught us the importance of family and left a legacy of faith and love.

Phyllis is survived by her sister Carole Overson (Dottie) and brother Phillip Overson (Laurie), children: Vickie Goetz (Gary), Brett Cameron (Stacie), Kristi Wilcox, Kerri Cameron, Trisha Warren (Mike), Heather Cameron, Danese Cameron, 27 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving husband Gene, her sister Marilyn, two sons Randy and Kim, son-in-law Allan, and three grandchildren Jesse and Micaela and Cody. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother and loved by all who knew her.

Funeral Services will be held on June 11, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3102 N 18th Avenue Phoenix, AZ with a viewing at 9:00 am and services to follow at 10:00 am. Contributions in memory of Phyllis: Hospice of the Valley 1510 E Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014.