Born and raised in Denver, she attended Denver Public Schools, including Abraham Lincoln High School, where she met her future husband in sixth period study hall. Following public school, she graduated from Central Business College in Denver.

She spent summer weekends fishing and camping with her Mom, Dad and brother. She got an early start in the working world by clerking at the Friendly Drug every weekend she wasn’t camping with her family.

Phyllis married Joe Switzer in February 1967. Joe joined the U. S. Air Force, and they lived and traveled from California to New York to North Carolina. After the military they moved to Milliken while Joe was in graduate school. From there they moved to Johnstown, where they lived and worked for 14 years. She was hired as the Johnstown Assistant Town Clerk and eventually became Town Clerk. A position she held until 1990.

Phyllis and Joe made many friends while in the Johnstown- Milliken area. She enjoyed raising two daughters, watching them grow, and cheering them on in their activities throughout the school years. She enjoyed camping with her family. She was also a member of Estrellita.

Due to a job change, Phyllis and Joe moved to Amarillo in 1994. There she was an accounts payable clerk for Maxor National Pharmacy Corporation until her retirement in 2008.

She is preceded in death by her parents; several aunts; uncles; and cousins.

She is survived by her husband, Joe, of Frisco, Texas; a brother, Paul (Susan) Swearengin of Crossville, Tennessee; daughters, Lisa (Dru) Bryant of Coppell, Texas, and Amy (Ernie) Collie of Amarillo, Texas; and five grandchildren, Chris, Sydney, Matt, Montana and Lauren.