Phyllis Galloway

Small Town Girl - World Class Person

Arkansas City Kansas is a small town south of Wichita in south Kansas. Occupying 10 square miles and with a current population of 12000, it welcomed Phyllis Ernestine Ammerman into our world on 06 September 1948. It would not be her last small town. Her parents had waited 8 years since the birth of her older brother, Ernest Leon Ammerman, and were ecstatic with the birth of a girl. That happiness would be a major consideration in her life.

Ernest Okley Ammerman and Phyllis Margerite (nee Hensley) Ammerman would move to the west coast chasing work and finally landed in a place originally known as Crumbsville but now known as Ridgecrest California. She would begin her school in nearby Inyokern California and later switch to the Seven Day Adventist school in Ridgecrest. The polite, accepting way of the Adventists flavored her life.

By high school she had developed a friendship with Kathleen (nee Sparrow) McAndrews. Through various life experience they maintained contact and eventually Phyllis and family found themselves in Cleveland TN. Where Kathleen had been living for a few years.

Phyllis also met, dated and married David Earl Miller. Like many young men in the 1960's, David would join the military. They moved to Ojai California near his duty station. Her daughter Sarah Lynn Miller was born after her return to Ridgecrest and her son David Earl Miller Jr. followed a few years later.

As life moved on they would end their marriage. Phyllis subsequently married Harry Mielkham Galloway Jr. She would gain two bonus children, Diane Elizabeth Galloway and Harry Mielkham Galloway 3rd. They moved to Harry's new duty station at Lemoore California.

In Lemoore, while Harry went on the ship, Phyllis became active in the Enlisted Wives Club and was elected President. Her upbeat approach to activities and cooking skills were driving forces in their highly successful fundraising activities.

Harry would retire in 1989. They remained in Ridgecrest. Her father had died in 1981 and her mom died in 2002. After settling the estate, Phyllis took a break to visit Kathleen. With many years in the desert of California, Phyllis found the greenery in Cleveland irresistible. She informed Harry that they would be moving soon. The stars aligned for them in 2005 and they moved to Cleveland.

She had seen the big city of Las Vegas and enjoyed her visits, there had been trips to L. A. for stage musicals, travel with Harry for work to the Space center in Florida as well as Disney world and then Puget Sound where she took pleasure in using the ferry system. Phyllis got to see what the world could offer through local and cross country travel as well international cruises.

Phyllis never lived in a large town or a suburb. She enjoyed the relative peace and calm of small town living. But mostly she enjoyed time with her family, a small-town tradition.

In addition to Leon, Kathleen, Harry, Sarah, David Jr, Diane and Harry Jr, she is survived by Grandchildren: Meghan Diane Kelley, Amanda Paige Solis, Destiny Lynn Crowder, Katelyn Elizabeth Jensen, Tristyn Autumn Miller, Anna Rose Miller

Bonus Grandchildren: Bethany Michelle Lowery, Chelsea Marie Woodrum, Samuel Isaac Woodrum, Audrey Iona Galloway, Nicholas William Galloway, Jordan Hideko Galloway, Jake Reid Galloway

Great-Grandchildren: Conner Alexander Vest, Dexton Owen Xavier Vest, Liam Tyler Crowder, Lilly Rae Crowder

Bonus Great-Grandchildren: Wyatt Alan Lowery, Judah Ray Lowery, Remy Hope Lowery, Jett Wilder Woodrum

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home. The family will be receiving friends from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm prior to the service.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Phyllis or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.