Phyllis Gail Isenman

Phyllis Gail (Sharp) Isenman passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Gail was born on April 30, 1953, in Crossett, Arkansas, and was the daughter of the late Billy Joe Sharp and Yvonne Baker Sharp.

Gail was a 1971 graduate of Crossett High School. Early in high school, she found a love for the performing arts, participating in the band as a clarinetist and performing as a majorette. She attended Henderson State University, where she continued her love for the performing arts as a majorette and where she was initiated into the Epsilon Pi chapter of the Delta Zeta sorority in 1972, a sisterhood she cherished deeply that fostered lifelong friendships and bonds. Gail was also a "Lil Sis" of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity of HSU. While at HSU, she worked as an administrative assistant to the HSU sports staff. She graduated from Henderson State University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree and later in life continued working on her master's degree.

After college, Gail began her career teaching typing at Capital City Business College and soon after accepted a role as a Data Coordinator in the Crop Protection Chemical Department at Olin Corporation. After Olin Corporation, Gail took on a role as an analyst at Baptist Healthcare. She then moved into a data consulting role at Systematics. She later transitioned to healthcare management and healthcare consulting, roles she held until retirement, which allowed her to travel the country and form many fond memories and friendships.

She married Tommy Isenman in 1987, and they remained together for 26 years until his passing in 2014. Because of Tommy's lifelong health problems, he and Gail expected they would be childless, but in 1991 they were blessed with their "miracle baby," Colleen. When Colleen was a young child, Gail converted to Catholicism and became a devoted parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church.

In her free time, Gail enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved traveling, playing cards, going to the movies, attending concerts, shopping, hunting, fishing, golfing, and bowling.

During retirement, Gail found many ways to stay socially active. She was a member of the Arkansas Alumnae of Delta Zeta, where she attended district and state meetings and sorority homecoming events for both HSU and ASU. She was an active member of the Little Rock Bridge Club, Little Rock Meet and Greet, Christ the King Primetimers, the Social Introverts, and Life Quest. She was also an active member of a local Stampin' Up group, where she made beautiful handmade cards that were loved by many family members and friends. During this time, Gail developed a love for knitting and made beautiful baby blankets for family and friends welcoming new babies.

Gail is survived by her daughter, Mary Colleen Isenman; brother, Dr. Gregory (Lynn) Sharp; aunt, Dorothy Outlaw; nieces, Katie (Andy) Berkeland, Ashley (Kyle) Wessell, and Jillian Sharp; nephew, Walt Isenman; cousins with whom she maintained close relationships, Barbara England, Jeff Williams, and Daphne Cauley Hargis; two best friends who were more like sisters, Cynthia Greenwood Johnson and Dorinda Stroud Pistole; her three cherished grand-godchildren, Corbin, Neelie, and Harper; numerous other relatives and friends; and her beloved Pomeranian, Stevie.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Tommy Isenman; her parents, Billy and Yvonne Sharp; her mother- and father-in-law, Albert and Betty Isenman; her brother-in-law, Al Isenman; her sister-in-law, Mary Isenman; and her beloved cousin, Shelley Outlaw Gray, along with many other relatives and close friends.

A memorial gathering will be held at 11:30 am and memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on March 21, 2026 at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

In memory of Gail, flowers may be sent to Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home or memorial donations may be made to BreakthroughT1D (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).