Phyllis Waters Fisher

Phyllis Waters Fisher, 90, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 3, 1934, in South Norfolk, Virginia, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Lucille Waters. Phyllis married Charles Richard Buckman in 1954 (deceased). From this union five children were born. Tara Velise Buckman, Carla Buckman Lyle (deceased), Kendal Buckman Wyatt (Chuck), Dana Buckman Hale (Jim) and R. Scott Buckman (Amanda). In April 1977, she married Herbert Arthur Fisher (deceased). He and his children Kelly Ann Cappetta (David), Todd Steven Fisher, and Kerry Irene Fisher joined what became the “FishBuck Family.” She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Brandy Harper, Meredith Gray (John), Jessica Kohn (Mike), Taryn Kinser, (Luke), Anastasia McDonough (Shawn), Scott R. Buckman (Leigh), Galyna Cruz (Juan Pablo), Rachel Wyatt, Haily Swain, Victoria Buckman, Ethan Wyatt (Shelby) and Christian Hale, as well as ten great-grandchildren. Phyllis grew up in Portlock, Virginia where she attended Portlock and South Norfolk High Schools. She was beautiful and athletic. She lettered in basketball and cheerleading and was voted homecoming queen in her senior year. Phyllis took over her mother’s business, Norfolk Flag and Emblem and was known as the Betsy Ross of Norfolk. She made flags, banners and emblems that could be seen on military installations, ships, high schools and businesses around the region. Her embroidery graced letterman’s jackets, motorcycle patches and even the Apollo mission caps. She was also known as the Frog Lady because she loved and collected frogs, not only because they were cute, but because she tried in her own quiet way to live out the meaning of the word FROG. Fully Rely on God. Those who knew Phyllis loved her. She never met a stranger. She opened her heart and her home to everyone, including the mailman and any random person with no place to go on Thanksgiving. Wherever she was, she drew people in with her joyful smile and gracious welcome. From Virginia Beach to Nags Head to her hospice nurses in Front Royal, she became everyone’s “Grandma Fish.” She was silly and funny, light-hearted and optimistic. She was a safe place for many. Above all else, Phyllis cherished her family. They were the most important thing to her, and they knew it. She loved life to its fullest, even asking people to wear bright colors at her funeral.