Phyllis Denison

Phyllis Marie Denison, 64, of Willard, MO, formerly of Waynesville, MO, passed away January 7, 2019.

She was born September 25, 1954, in Fort Knox, KY, to Phillip and Lillian (Komineck) Denison. She was the fourth of six children. Both of her parents served in the U.S. Army, and the family lived in several locations, including Stuttgart, Germany, before settling in the Fort Leonard Wood, MO area. Phyllis graduated from Waynesville High School in 1972. The following October, she married Robert Scott of Laquey, MO, whom she met while in the seventh grade. They were married for ten years and had one daughter, Elizabeth. Phyllis was most proud of her devotion to her daughter.

Phyllis was an independent, self-supporting, hard worker. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 35, but continued to work and live independently for as long as she was able. She traveled all over Missouri and the Midwest to watch her daughter compete in track and cross country. Phyllis went back to school while her daughter was in college, and earned an Associate Degree from Drury University. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and watching old movies. She worked for more than 25 years in Civil Service at Ft. Leonard Wood, retiring from the Department of Logistics in 2004.

After retiring, she moved to Willard, MO. In 2009 Phyllis moved into the Willard Care Center. She lived there for nine years. She spent her last year in the Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility. During her decade of living in a nursing home, she befriended many residents and staff. She was known for her positive outlook on life, and was a staff favorite at both facilities.

Her philosophy was to “never dwell on the past, but always move forward.” When Multiple Sclerosis took away her physical ability to move, she decided to “never dwell on the past, but always look forward.” Had MS not taken so much from her, Phyllis would have undoubtedly attended countless sporting events, dance recitals, birthday parties, banquets, and graduations. However, from a nursing home bed, she still found a way to make her grandchildren feel her immense love and adoration.

Phyllis will be missed by her daughter, Elizabeth (Scott) Oedewaldt, her son-in-law, Jeff Oedewaldt, her grandchildren, Cole, Emily, Brian, and Sophia Oedewaldt, all of Willard, MO. She will also be missed by her uncle Harvey Denison, her sister Cheryl Denison, her brother Jim Denison and his wife Febe, her sister Sue Wilson and her husband Keith, her brother Tom Denison and his wife Roberta, and her sister Patricia Denison, as well as many friends.

Per her wishes, Phyllis’s brain was donated to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center for research. She was laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Estates in Waynesville, MO.

A celebration of life will be held at the Willard Community Center, 220 West Jackson Street, on January 19th from 2:00 to 4:00.

Memorial donations can be made in Phyllis’s name to Citizens Memorial Healthcare Foundation Attn: Renee Meyer, 1500 N Oakland Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613.