Phyllis L. Graves

Phyllis Leola (King) Graves, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Phyllis was born on January 31, 1931, in Otis, CO to Everett Brough King and Clara Leola (Moyer) King. She joined her parents, a sister, Mildred Lucille (King) Pritchette, and a brother, Lloyd Everett King to create a family of five. Her childhood years were spent primarily in Boulder, along with a few interspersed years in Atwood, KS and McCook, NE depending on her father’s jobs. Phyllis graduated from Boulder High School and then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. She was involved in The Wesley House campus youth group where set met her future husband, William A. Graves (Bill), also a student at CU. Phyllis and Bill married on June 6, 1952 in Boulder, CO. Within that same month, they moved to Portsmouth, VA for 2 years since Bill was recalled to the Navy Reserve (Korean War). Their first child was born there, and upon returning to Colorado and over the years, they welcomed four more children. Phyllis remained very busy as the “Head of the Household” (as Bill said), as he taught Mechanical Engineering at CSU. When the children were all in school and a bit more independent, Phyllis spread her wings and became the “Church Secretary” (title back then), at Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins where they were founding charter members and raised their family. Phyllis had many interests including gardening, reading, sewing and crafts, hiking, music and traveling. She was drawn to leadership and enjoyed many activities through volunteerism. Beyond nurturing her own, Phyllis’ creativity and sense of humor accompanied that leadership with various children’s church and community groups. Her positive outlook on life was manifest to many through her contributions of service which included several church committees and numerous civic groups such as the library, hospital and Lincoln Center. As a long-term Fort Collins resident, Phyllis felt a personal responsibility to give back to her community as well as to be involved in a church that was actively mission-oriented. Phyllis had a real love for singing. Her voice could be heard in the church’s Chancel Choir, the Ft. Collins Sunshine Singers and The Harmonettes. As a “Nature Lover,” she took a number of classes to learn about native flora and fauna, ecology and geology. She and Bill were avid hikers. Along with many family hikes, Phyllis and Bill belonged to the Colorado Mountain Club, which offered their family more mountain adventures. Phyllis also led a “ladies group” on many hiking outings. She and Bill enjoyed travels beyond their “beloved” Colorado mountains and vacationed in New Zealand, the British Isles, and all 50 states. Phyllis now joins her aforementioned parents, siblings, husband and oldest daughter, Nancy Foster. Those that “Mom” or “Grammy” leave behind to cherish her memory are her four remaining children, daughter Marg Warnock of Sioux Falls, SD, daughter Mary (Frank) Vretenar of Cedaredge, CO, son Tom (Betsy) Graves of Fort Collins, CO, and daughter Dorothy (Eddie) Simmons of Cedaredge, CO. Phyllis also leaves behind five grandchildren (Carly, Chris, Whitney, Jen and Patrick) and eight great-grandchildren (Sara, Alannah, Bryce, Connor, Jaxson, Marley, Finley and Avery). It is with gratefulness that the family remembers their caring matriarch with her cheerful whistle, vibrant spirit, and spring in her step! The Graves family wish to offer their thanks to the staffs at both Columbine and Bloom at Home for their compassionate care with Phyllis over the years. All of them were such a blessing in Phyllis’ life and her family.

Tributes

Phyllis L. Graves

January 31, 1931 - May 29, 2025