Phyllis Marie Campbell

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Phyllis Marie (Perry) Campbell was born on October 25, 1931, at DeNova, Colorado, about 20 miles south of Otis, Colorado and passed away suddenly at her home in Yuma, Colorado on July 22, 2025 at the age of 93 years 8 months.  Her parents were Vivian Nathaniel Perry and Eva Pearl (York) Perry.

She spent her early years on the family farm, growing up in a humble sod house until high school, when the family built a wood-frame home. Life on the farm was challenging, but she cherished every moment—the animals, the crops, and, most of all, the many stories of times shared with her seven siblings, their pets, and the variety of animals that the family owned and raised. She attended country schools and graduated with the High Prairie High School class of 1949 as Salutatorian.

Musically gifted, Phyllis taught herself to play the piano as a young girl, inspired by encouragement from her uncle and grandfather. Without formal training, she played by ear and skillfully transposed songs to suit vocalists. Her talent led her to accompany countless church services and, eventually, to play for song evangelist Bob Mickey. Throughout her adult life, in addition to playing the piano, she frequently provided special music for church, often performing with her husband Melvin and their children. Together, Phyllis and Melvin sang at many weddings and funerals, sharing their love of music with their community.  Her love of piano continued to the very end of her life.  She would sit and play her favorite hymns even in the last few days before her passing.

Soon after graduating high school, Phyllis began working as a cook at High Prairie School alongside her future sister-in-law, Virginia Nelson. This experience nurtured her love for cooking, and she became renowned for her hospitality, regularly entertaining and preparing tasty meals. In recent weeks, she welcomed new families into her home, taking great joy and care in every detail—cleaning, cooking, and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Guests were often asked to sign a special tablecloth, which she would later embroider by hand, preserving each name as a cherished memory. Her skill as an embroiderer was well known; she created dozens of tea towels and pillowcases as gifts for family and friends. In a touching testament to her desire to stay busy and be creative, an order of embroidery cloth was delivered to her home on the very day she passed away—materials she had requested for her next project.

On June 5, 1955, Phyllis married Melvin Ross Campbell. Together, they welcomed two children: Gaylen in 1957 and Rhonda in 1960. The couple began married life working on Melvin’s family farm.  However, when Melvin’s father Cecil passed away unexpectedly in 1957 at the age of 57, their path shifted. Through many ventures and challenges, Phyllis worked alongside Melvin—keeping the books, managing tasks, and always doing whatever was needed to provide for their family.  Their success in business earned them many awards and incentive trips which allowed them to experience new destinations.  When Melvin passed, they had been married for over 66 years, a truly remarkable marriage and partnership.

Phyllis’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the Peniel Nazarene Church and, after moving to Yuma, became a devoted member of the Yuma Church of the Nazarene. She served in many roles—on committees, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and as local Nazarene Missionary Society president. Her love of cooking found purpose as she led and provided food for church funeral dinners for many years.  She and Melvin also served as chairpersons for the Stewardship Committee, helping gather the finances required for the construction of the present church building.

Her legacy is defined by love—for her Lord, her family (from the eldest member to the youngest great-great-great-niece or nephew), her church, and her friends. Phyllis embodied a servant’s heart, always striving to help those in need. Though her family would remind her she could not fix every problem or help people heal every relationship, she never stopped trying. She gave generously of her resources, time, and energy to make others’ lives better.

Perhaps her greatest act of devotion was caring for Melvin during his long illness. Determined to keep him at home, she did so until he passed on October 31, 2021, offering her care selflessly and with joy.  In addition to being loving, kind, and compassionate she was strong and determined.

Phyllis’ life was a living example of the gospel—loving and serving others. Her hope for us is to love the Lord, show respect and compassion to everyone, and strive to leave the world a better place, as she did so remarkably.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vivian N. and Eva Pearl (York) Perry; her parents-in-law, Cecil and Mary Campbell; her grandparents Nathaniel and Rachel Perry, and Henry Franklin and Lillie York; sisters Evelyn Crowfoot (Thayer) and Darlene Young; brothers Gerald Perry (Marsolie), Wayne Perry (Lorraine), Rolland Perry (Thelma), Francis Perry, and Marlyn Perry; and sister-in-law Virginia Nelson (Orville).

Phyllis is survived by her son, Gaylen Campbell (Vickie), and her daughter, Rhonda Desmond (Steve); eight grandchildren—Curtis Metcalfe (Erika), Eric Metcalfe (Kristin), Jamie Lubiens (Trevor), Amanda Baldwin (Kyle), Jennifer Limback (Joshua), Jaden Campbell (Kendra), Holly McGurn (Josh), and Kirsten Donovan (Tyson); and twenty great-grandchildren—Braxton Metcalfe, Margot and Milo Metcalfe, Connor, Emmett, and Annie Baldwin, Kellom and Taiya Lubiens, Caleb, Brayden, and Adalyn Limback, Payson, Emmerson, Wyatt, and Kinzley Campbell, Reagan, Rylee, and Rowan McGurn, Tynlee and Kyndall Donovan. She cherished Ron Metcalfe and Sandy Campbell as well. Also surviving are brother-in-law Birdsall Young Jr., sister-in-law Coeta Perry, sister-in-law Delores Perry Rudnik, and her many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Funeral Service - Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene in Yuma, Colorado with Pastor Dave Martelle and Steve Desmond officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.