Phyllis Naomi McPhail

Born Phyllis Naomi Jacobson, in Austin, Texas on June 26, 1946, she was the oldest child of Milton Eric Jacobson and Emma Naomi Jacobson (Carlson).

Phyllis was a member of a large family, often known around Hyde Park Baptist Church as “The Carlson Clan” or “The Carlson Army.” At the age of four she became a big sister upon the birth of her younger brother, Dan Jacobson, and with six aunts and one uncle, most of whom lived in Austin, the two soon found themselves surrounded by an army of cousins.

As the eldest of her generation, Phyllis both loved to mother and to tease her brother and cousins. She had a quietly mischievous streak, and could pull April Fool’s pranks with the straightest of faces. Fortunately, her quiet and pleasant nature offset any pranks as harmless fun.

Growing up in the Rosedale area, she spent many afternoons at Ramsey Park, and attended Lamar Junior High and later McCallum High School. During her time at McCallum she joined the band and learned to play the Clarinet. Something her brother would later say was “absolute torture” at home.

Upon graduating from McCallum in 1964, Phyllis went on to attend Nixon-Clay Business College where she learned secretarial skills. These skills eventually earned her a job at the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, where she worked for many years.

Phyllis and her family were fixtures at Hyde Park Baptist Church, where she and her parents served in various capacities. Both her parents and her extended family instilled a strong sense of values and love for God through his son, Jesus Christ. It was a faith that Phyllis would carry her entire life.

It was at Hyde Park that she first met Gerald McPhail, someone with whom she did not instantly click. His larger-than-life personality was simply too much for her at first, yet she would agree to be his wife a mere six months after their first date.

The couple were married on March 16, 1974, and were married for over 47 years. Three years later, the couple welcomed their first child, Wesley. It wasn’t long after his birth that Phyllis left her job at the state and came on as bookkeeper at Airport Florist, Inc., her husband’s family business. Then, nearly seven and a half years later, the couple welcomed their second child, Jennifer. The family lived above the business, placing Phyllis in the unique position of being a stay-at-home mom with a full-time outside job.

Phyllis raised her children in the same teachings and values that her family held dear, and was always willing to serve in church and school activities. Through it all, be it business, church, kids sporting events, or any other numerous activities, she never sought credit or praise. Her family was central to her upbringing, and it became her hobby.

Once retired, she settled into the role of Grandmother. Her five grandkids were her life’s greatest joy, even as her health declined. When not with them, she spent her time with Gerald helping him work around the house, or going out to eat. Activities she was able to keep up until falling ill with Covid-19 in mid-September.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Naomi Jacobson, both of Austin. She is survived by Gerald, her husband of 47 years, son, Gerald “Wesley” McPhail and wife Cindy of Newton, TX, daughter, Jennifer Naomi McPhail of Elgin, TX, brother, Dan Jacobson and wife Linda of Leander, TX grandchildren, Nicholas, Grayson, and Emma McPhail of Newton, Jadyn Goodland of Elgin and his father Cole Goodland of Austin, Giulia Cué and her father Antonio Cué of Elgin, and her niece Miranda Filley and husband John of Liberty Hill.

The McPhail family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Seton Hospital, The Center at Parmer, Seton Northwest, Pflugerville Health Care Center, and St. Gabriel’s Hospice for their assistance, kindness, and compassion over the past three months.

There will be a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2021, at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, also at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home with Bro. Jonathan Spencer, Senior Pastor of Austin Baptist Church, officiating.

Graveside services will immediately follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.