She was born on April 23, 1941 in Hamilton, Ohio to Luther and Sadie (Lewis) McWhorter. Phyllis graduated from Talawanda High School. She furthered her education at Miami University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education. On May 9, 1958, Phyllis married Stanton Bailey. He passed away on July 16, 1995. She then married Peter Starmer on May 8, 2000. Phyllis was a member of West Side Baptist Church. She taught in the Edgewood school district for 23 years, before becoming a professor at Miami University Oxford. She retired in 1997. In her spare time, Phyllis liked reading, cooking, and sewing. She was very involved in the activities at Berkeley and enjoyed storytelling. Phyllis loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband Peter; children Sheila (Ed) Lykins, Kelly (Doug) Grollmus, John (Susan) Bailey; 5 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; siblings Patricia Paullin and Billie Jo Spicer; and her “Bailey Bunch”. Phyllis was preceded in death by her first husband, sister Carol Jean McWhorter, and her parents. Private services will take place for Phyllis at a later date. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Berkeley Square: Activity Fund, 100 Berkeley Drive, Hamilton, OH 45013.
