Born December 15, 1942 in Pekin to Everett Wayne and Myrtle Louise (Montgomery) Severns, she married James Floyd Todd on January 28, 1965 in South Pekin. He survives.
Surviving are two sons, James (April) Todd of Green Valley and David (Janet) Johnsen of Marion, Texas; two daughters, LaDonna (Dave) Fabian of Clancy, Montana and Anna Livengood of Pekin; eight grandchildren, Stephanie (Jason) Frosch, Bradley Ramsay, Brent (Mandy) Ramsay, Tabatha Rippey, Tamera (Phil) Rockey, Kayla (Jeremiah) Stewart, Connie (Thad) Justice and Kevin Livengood; ten great-grandchildren and one brother, Bill (Joy) Severns of Pekin. She was also blessed with many foster granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gregg Todd; one daughter, Marilyn Todd; one brother, Dwight Severns; three sisters, Shirley Severns, Darlene Tower and Sharon Bradshaw and Everett "Bing" Severns, who she considered a special brother.
Phylis was a 1961 graduate of Pekin Community High School.
She was a homemaker and centered her life around family. She was never to busy to get down on the floor to play with her grandchildren.
When she was younger, Phylis enjoyed reading, crocheting and working puzzles. She also had a passion for researching her family's genealogy.
She was a devoted member of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene. She formerly served the church as a nursery worker and by working with the choir kids.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, October 5, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor John Bunch, her nephew, will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral on Monday morning. Burial will be in Woodrow Cemetery in rural Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com
